Ukraine closes airspace to all Russian planes

AFP, KIEV: Ukraine on Wednesday banned all Russian airlines from crossing its airspace in the latest escalation between the two neighbours 19 months into the separatist war in the east of the former Soviet state.
The announcement by Kiev’s pro-Western government came only moments after Russia announced plans to halt gas shipments to energy-dependent Ukraine starting Thursday.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk told a televised cabinet meeting that the latest ban was justified because “Russia might use Ukrainian airspace to stage provocations”.

Ukraine closes airspace to all Russian planes

AFP, KIEV: Ukraine on Wednesday banned all Russian airlines from crossing its airspace in the latest escalation between the two neighbours 19 months into the separatist war in the east of the former Soviet state. The announcement by Kievs pro-Western government came only moments after Russia announced plans to halt gas shipments to energy-dependent Ukraine starting Thursday. Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk told a televised cabinet meeting that the latest ban was justified because Russia might use Ukrainian airspace to stage provocations.