More Russian figureheads blacklisted in Baltics amid Ukraine tensions

Estonia and Latvia have blacklisted two famous Russian actors amid the crisis in the Ukraine

Latvia's foreign ministry said it had blacklisted Russian actor Mikhail Porechenkov on Saturday after he was filmed firing on Ukrainian army positions in rebel held Donetsk.

The actor is filmed wearing a press helmet and speaking to separatists in eastern Ukraine before he handles a heavy machine gun.

"Many similarities between the Third Reich, USSR, modern RU, actors firing machine guns, calls to exterminate entire nations, we must stop it," Latvia's foreign minister Edgars Rinkevics posted on Twitter.

Meanwhile, Estonia's Interior Ministry said it had blacklisted Russian actor Ivan Okhlobystin, ERR reports.

No reasons were given for the ban, however, it's believed it may be related to Okhlobystin's anti gay comments. 

In December 2013, Okhlobystin was recorded as saying that all homosexuals should be burned alive as they pose a 'living danger' to his children.

In January, he addressed an open letter to President Vladimir Putin, requesting the return of a Soviet-era law on the criminalization of homosexuality.

Latvia also banned the actor and comedian earlier this month for stirring ethnic hatred. Oklobystin was due to give a one man performance in Riga later this week before the ban was issued. 

In response, Riga Mayor Nils Usakovs, leader of the pro Russia Harmony party, said he was 'very ashamed' for Rinkevics.

The video below shows Russian actor Mikhail Porechenkov firing on Ukrainian army positions in Donetsk