Ukraine-Crimea transportation ban temporary move - spokesman

10:45, 29.12.2014 1 min read

Kyiv's ban on rail and bus transportation between inland Ukraine and the Crimean Peninsula is a temporary measure, Ukrainian anti-terrorist operation spokesman Andriy Lysenko said on Saturday.

"There is a high probability of sabotage groups penetrating under the guise of local residents," Lysenko said.

"For this reason, in order to tighten control and protect civilians… it has been decided to temporarily cut off routes from the occupied territory to the territory that is under Ukrainian control. It's a temporary measure," he said.

Directive by Ukraine's State Rail Transport Administration (Ukrzaliznytsia) that took effect on Saturday, prohibits Crimea-bound trains from proceeding further than Novooleksiyivka or Kherson in Ukraine. Any railroad freight transportation between Ukraine and Crimea has been banned with effect from Friday.

Ukraine's State Security Inspectorate for Ground Transportation halted all bus services between Ukraine and Crimea as from Friday.