Ukraine Bans Russian Airlines Flight

Ukraine has said it will ban Russian airlines from flying into the country as part of sanctions over Moscow's support for rebels in the east.

 

Almost 8,000 people have been killed since fighting erupted in eastern Ukraine in April 2014.
Ukraine and the West accuse Russia of arming the separatists and also sending its regular troops in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
Moscow denies this, but admits that Russian "volunteers" fight alongside the rebels.

Kiev said the measures would take effect on October 25,2015 and would include major Russian airlines Aeroflot and Transaero

Russian transit flights will also be banned if the planes carry military personnel or dual-use goods.

The flight ban was announced by Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk.
"Russian planes with the Russian tricolour have no business in Ukrainian airports," he said.

Ukraine's aviation authorities later said the ban would take effect on 25 October.

Moscow described the move as "an act of madness", promising a firm response.