Israel has banned regular flights from the southern Russian city of Rostov-on-Don to Tel Aviv, apparently as a retaliatory move, Russian officials have said.

RIA Novosti reported on Thursday that in June 2009, Israeli air carriers decided not to schedule flights to the south of Russia when Russian authorities refused to let armed Israeli security into the country.

Israel also refused to accept flights into Israel by Aeroflot subsidiary Donavia. The flights were resumed at the end of 2009.

The airline received a letter Wednesday explaining the new ban was because of recent actions by the Russian authorities, a Donavia official has said.

Dmitry Bakulin said, "The Russian aviation authorities did not give permission to Israeli air carrier Sun D'or to hold special events during a Rostov-on-Don (to) Tel Aviv flight."

RIA Novosti further reported that Bakulin said Donavia was holding flights to Israel in strict accordance with Russian and Israeli laws and that the ban was a retaliatory act by the Israeli state authorities.

Bakulin also added that Donavia has asked the Israeli aviation authorities to allow Rostov-on-Don-to-Tel Aviv flights beginning July 4. (With Inputs from Agencies)