More than 300 Russian nationals are unable to return home from Qatar after flight cancellations caused by the regional conflict, the Telegram channel Baza reported on March 13.

The only available route is via Saudi Arabia, but the journey home costs at least RUB120,000 ($1,230) per person which is too expensive for many making them stuck in the Persian Gulf country.

One tourist who arrived in Doha on February 26 with her daughter and elderly mother on a package holiday said her return flight to Moscow, scheduled for March 6, was cancelled due to restrictions.

Travellers were advised to reach the Saudi border and find flights from Riyadh or Dubai, with a Saudi visa costing $120 on top of the travel expenses, Baza reported.

Russian citizens in Bahrain have also been leaving the country in large numbers via Saudi Arabia before catching onward flights.

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged citizens to avoid travel to the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and Saudi Arabia. The ministry also warned of possible cancellations of connecting flights through Persian Gulf aviation hubs.