Kiev Cuts Off Passenger, Cargo Railway Connection With Crimea

KIEV, December 27 (Sputnik) – Ukraine halts railway communication with Crimea: starting from December 27 all passenger trains, previously bound for Simferopol and Sevastopol, will go only as far as the border with the peninsula.

According to the Ukraine's State Railway Transport Administration called Ukrzaliznytsia, the decision was made in order to ensure the passengers' safety.

At the same time, Ukrzaliznytsia assures it will fully refund the money to the passengers, who have already bought the tickets.

The ban on rail transportation of any cargo between Ukraine and Crimea was introduced on December 26. Ukraine's Ministry of Infrastructure also halted transportation to the peninsula by road starting from December 26 over the security concerns.

Earlier in December, Kiev authorities terminated the railway communication with the southeastern region of Donbas, as part of its "economic blockade."