The Ukrainian State Border Service has reported the closure of the Maryinka checkpoint in Donetsk region due to constant attacks by militants, and has said that the checkpoint will reopen upon stabilization.

The headquarters of the Anti-Terrorist Operation "has decided to temporarily suspend the traffic of individuals and vehicles through the Maryinka checkpoint at midnight on February 17," the service reported on Wednesday.

The decision is derived from constant attacks on Ukrainian army positions in that area, and the threat to the lives and health of people travelling through the checkpoint, it said. "It [the checkpoint] will resume operation upon stabilization," the service said.