Ukrainian frontiersmen detained a group of Russian citizens – international observers of CIS-EMO mission who were planning to monitor the runoff of presidential poll in the country.

According to mission’s deputy head Alexey Martinov, 92 people on buses heading from Russia to Donetsk region were seized on Goptovka checkpoint (Kharkiv oblast), RIA Novosti informs.

The frontier guards reasoned their actions as follows: “We don’t’ have some list of Central Election Commission.” At that Martinov maintains all observers are officially registered with CEC of Ukraine and banning Russian citizens from entering the country is absurd.

He also added that RF Embassy in Ukraine is notified of the incident. At the moment, the observers’ buses are still in the checkpoint.

The Ukraine's runoff presidential election will be held on February 7, 2010. Candidates for presidency are leader of oppositional Party of Regions Viktor Yanukovych and incumbent Prime Minister Yulia Timoshenko, polled 35.32% and 25.05% respectively at the January 17 first round.

S.T.