Dan Andrews is BANNED from Russia as Putin blocks 235 high profile Aussies in shock new move

Former Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews headlines hundreds of Aussies blacklisted from Russia indefinitely, accused of promoting 'anti-Russian agenda.

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation has released a new list of 235 Australians barred from the country 'in response to the politically motivated sanctions imposed on Russian private individuals and legal entities by the Government of Australia as part of the collective West's Russophobic campaign'.

Other Victorian politicians on the banned list include former deputy premier James Merlino, his successor Ben Carroll, current treasurer Tim Pallas, opposition leader John Pesutto, controversial MP Moira Deeming, Labor MP and former actor Paul Mercurio and Animal Justice Party MP Georgie Purcell.

A host of South Australian leaders have also been barred, including deputy premier Susan Close, treasurer Stephen Mullighan, opposition leader David Speirs and former Liberal premier Stephen Marshall.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas was already blacklisted.

'The decision has been made to indefinitely deny entry to Russia to 235 Australian nationals who are members of municipal councils actively promoting the anti-Russia agenda in their country,' a statement from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation read.

'Given that official Canberra shows no sign of renouncing its anti-Russia position and the continued introduction of new sanctions, we will further update the Russian stop list accordingly.'

Mr Andrews previously publicly vowed to support the people of Ukraine when it was invaded by Russia in February 2022.

'With tens of thousands of Ukrainians currently fleeing their home, Victoria stands ready to help,' he tweeted at the time.

'We'll work with the Commonwealth Government wherever possible to welcome families seeking either temporary shelter, or to find a new permanent home here in our state.'

Former prime minister Scott Morrison was placed on the ban list in 2022 after he banned Russia's President Vladimir Putin from travelling to Australia in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine.

A number of high-profile Australians were also banned, including journalists, political commentator Andrew Bolt and mining magnate Gina Rinehart.