Some 200 Russians board repatriation flight to Moscow from Larnaca

Around 200 Russians living in Cyprus boarded a repatriation flight to Moscow at Larnaca airport on Friday.

The flight, operated by Russia state airline Aeroflot, was organised by the Russian embassy in Cyprus.

It arrived empty from Moscow at 1.15pm and left Larnaca airport at 2.45pm.

The last commercial Aeroflot flight left Cyprus on February 28, before the island joined the EU ban on Russian aircraft.

Meanwhile, travel booking software provider Sabre Corp SABR.O said on Thursday it has terminated its distribution agreement with Aeroflot, hurting the Russian flag carrier’s ability to sell tickets.

Also, Russian citizens in Cyprus have received threats and insulting comments, according to a statement from the Russian Embassy, ​​which urges its citizens not to get involved in provocations.

On Wednesday, the Russian embassy said in a statement several Russian citizens in Cyprus have been the subject of threats following the start of the conflict in Ukraine.

The statement urged Russians “not to respond to provocations, but to report them immediately to the embassy,” comparing the reported threats to a witch hunt.