The Russian government has imposed an indefinite ban on 48 Australian citizens from entering Russia due to their alleged promotion of an anti-Russian agenda. The individuals affected include those in the military-industrial industry and journalists. One of the persons included in the ban is Paul Monk, a former intelligence analyst, author, and contributor to The Australian newspaper. Monk, who has been critical of the Russian regime and President Putin, expressed his honor at being sanctioned by the Putin regime. The ban also applies to executives from engineering firm SYPAQ and Thales Australia, a defense contracting company. Thales Australia recently secured a $160 million contract to deliver military vehicles for the Australian Defense Force. Additionally, the Russian foreign ministry imposed sanctions on members of the Australia Day Council of South Australia, possibly due to their involvement in events celebrating the local Ukrainian community. Australian Foreign Minister, Penny Wong, has advised Australians in Russia to leave if it is safe to do so, as the security situation may worsen. The federal government has also warned that consular assistance for Australians in Russia may be limited. In a separate development, the head of Russia’s Wagner mercenary group will reportedly move to neighboring Belarus as part of a deal to end an alleged armed coup against Russia’s military leadership. Meanwhile, Russia has launched a legal challenge against the Australian government’s cancellation of the lease for the Russian embassy in Canberra. Despite a Russian diplomat squatting on the disputed land, the Australian Prime Minister has downplayed any national security concerns.