Cats from Russia have been banned from competing in any international competition, amid the country’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

The Federation Internationale Feline announced that any cat bred in Russia cannot be imported or registered in its pedigree book outside the country.

The group said any cat belonging to exhibitors living in Russia cannot enter any FIFe show outside the country, no matter where they were registered. The ban will be in effect until May 31. 

“The FIFe Executive Board is shocked and horrified that the army of the Russian Federation invaded the Republic of Ukraine and started a war,” FIFe said in a statement.

“Many innocent people died, many more are wounded and hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians are forced to flee their homes to save their lives.

“We can all witness the destruction and chaos caused by this unprecedented act of aggression,” FIFe added in the statement.

The international group is made up of 40 countries that put on cat shows all over the world.

Established in 1949, the group put on more than 700 shows a year, and more than 200,000 cats have taken part, according to its website.

The decision by the feline organisation is one of the latest bans, sanctions and boycotts that have been placed on Russia and its citizens as a response to the Ukrainian invasion.

The International Ice Hockey Federation condemned Russia’s actions in Ukraine and suspended all Russian and Belarusian teams from participating in any competitions “until further notice.”

Apple halted the sale of its products in the country, and Toyota has suspended operations in Russia.