The Russian Justice Ministry on Tuesday registered nine media outlets, including Voice of America and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, as "foreign agents."

In a statement, the ministry listed, in accordance with the law on mass media, several outlets as "foreign agents". Among those are Voice of America, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Current Time TV, which is run jointly by the previous two.

Other information websites listed are Azatliq Radiosi, Sibir.Realii, Idel.Realii, Kavkaz.Realii, Krym.Realii and factograph.info.

Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree assigning the ministry the authority to maintain a register of media foreign agents on Monday.

The journalists working for the outlets listed may not enter Russia's State Duma — lower house of parliament. Last week, Moscow banned all U.S. media from accession to the Duma.

The move comes amid an escalating tit-for-tat between Russia and the U.S. over government-funded media outlets

Kremlin-funded RT television was registered with the U.S. Justice Department last month as a foreign agent following a demand from Washington. In retaliation, Russia adopted a bill that allows the government to designate international media outlets as foreign agents.

On Nov. 13, the U.S. Department of Justice demanded RT to register as a foreign agent for playing a key role in what it termed an "influence campaign" aimed at undercutting Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton during last year's presidential race.

In response, Putin on Nov. 25 signed a law to introduce a "foreign agent" status for foreign media outlets.