“The BBC strongly rejects the decision,” a BBC statement said.

The “foreign agent” label has very negative connotations in Russia.

The government has used it to marginalise not only critics of the Russian invasion of Ukraine but also voices challenging other Kremlin policies, including prominent cultural figures, media organisations and civil society groups.

One of Russia’s most popular novelists – Boris Akunin – was put on the list in January. He is a long-standing critic of President Vladimir Putin.

The term “foreign agent” recalls the Soviet-era campaign against “enemies of the people”. “Foreign agents” have to identify themselves as such on social media and in other publications, and face burdensome financial reporting requirements.

Both Barabanov and Kazantseva are now living abroad.

Kazantseva signed an open letter from Russian scientists and science journalists demanding that Russian troops withdraw from Ukraine. She left Russia in January, saying she was being harassed by pro-war figures and seeing her lectures and book presentations cancelled.

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