In this March 28, 2018 photo, the Russian flag flutters on the rooftop of the Russian embassy in Kyiv, Ukraine. (SERGEI SUPINSKY / AFP)

MOSCOW - Russia has terminated an agreement with Tokyo on facilitating visits by Japanese citizens to the four disputed Pacific islands, a government order showed on Monday.

ALSO READ: Kremlin pledges serious response in case of EU visa restrictions

The agreement dating back to 1999 allowed former residents and their family members of the islands, known as the Southern Kurils in Russia and the Northern Territories in Japan, to visit the Russia-controlled islands without a visa.

READ MORE: Russia halts peace treaty talks with Japan

The Russian Foreign Ministry announced its intention to end the visa-free trips in March in response to Japan's anti-Russian sanctions over the situation in Ukraine.