Ukraine Sets Blockade of Rebel Area

Ukraine Sets Blockade of Rebel Area

MOSCOW (AP) -- Ukraine's Security and Defense Council has announced a full transport blockade on rebel-held areas in the east of the country that is likely to cause severe economic disruption.

The president of Security and Defense Council, Alexander Turchinov, told reporters on Wednesday that "a decision was taken to halt the transport of goods across the line of contact," according to Russia's TASS news agency.

All railway and road connections will be cut, according to Turchinov.

The announcement follows recent similar, unofficial blockades organized by nationalist activists on rebel mini-states.

The activist blockade seriously hit trade on both sides, cutting off much of the coal shipments to government-controlled territory and impeding shipments from the mills and factories that are the east's economic backbone.

(KA)

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