Russia retaliates against Western sanctions with export bans: Report

The ban includes exports of telecoms, medical, vehicle, agricultural, and electrical equipment, as well as some forestry products such as timber.

The economy ministry said further measures could include restricting foreign ships from Russian ports.

It said: "These measures are a logical response to those imposed on Russia."

The ministry added that the bans on countries that have "committed unfriendly actions" were "aimed at ensuring uninterrupted functioning of key sectors of the economy".

The export ban includes more than 200 products. The measures will last until the end of the year.

In a bid to punish Russia, Western nations have imposed ban notably on buying oil, and against billionaire oligarchs seen as close to President Vladimir Putin.

About 48 nations will be affected, including the US and in the EU.

In its order, the Russian government has allowed export for Georgia's breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia and for members of the Russian-led Eurasian Economic Union.

Russia's Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said the ban would include exports of goods made by foreign companies operating in Russia. Items include cars, railway carriages, and containers, the BBC report stated.

Earlier, Russia's former president Dmitry Medvedev warned that assets owned by western companies that have quit Russia could be taken over by the government.