Ukraine, rebels exchange POWs as Kiev suspends trains, buses to Crimea

Ukraine, rebels exchange POWs as Kiev suspends trains, buses to Crimea
(Image credit: Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The Ukrainian government agreed to trade more than 200 pro-Russian separatist prisoners of war for 150 Ukrainian servicemen on Friday, Reuters reports.

But, Kiev also announced it would halt all train and bus transportation services to Crimea, citing "deteriorating" security in the region that was annexed by Russia in March. Because Crimea's only land link is with Ukraine, and Kiev has already banned sea and air traffic, the new suspensions will effectively create a transportation blockade to the peninsula.

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Sarah Eberspacher

Sarah Eberspacher is an associate editor at TheWeek.com. She has previously worked as a sports reporter at The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus and The Arizona Republic. She graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism.