Russia and Ukraine Ban Direct Flights Between Themselves

The Associated Press
The Associated Press

MOSCOW (AP) — Direct flights between Russia and Ukraine have stopped as a result of continuing tensions over Russia’s annexation of Crimea and backing of separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Travelers between the two nations will now have to fly through another country, take the overnight train or drive.

Olga Soboleva arrived in Moscow on the last flight from Kiev before the mutual ban went into effect on Sunday.

She criticized the decision to ban the flights, saying “I hope that common sense will win this political game and everything will be fixed. This is so sad.”

Ukraine announced in late September that it was barring Russian airlines from flying to Ukraine as of Oct. 25, in accordance with sanctions on Russia.

Russia announced a reciprocal ban a few days later.

COMMENTS

Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.