Ukraine suspends air links with Italy, closes 170 border crossing checkpoints

“Out of 219 border crossing checkpoints, 49 checkpoints will operate starting from tomorrow. The rest will be closed to citizens and vehicles,” Prime Minister of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal said at a briefing on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

According to him, a special pass control and operating mode will be introduced at the airport checkpoints.

When asked whether the entry-exit checkpoints in the Joint Forces Operation will be closed, Shmyhal replied: "We cannot close them completely, but strengthened measures are taken. Some of them are closed."

He added that Ukraine had actually suspended air links with Italy.

“Today, the decision has been taken and the airlines have already started to implement it. This is actually the suspension of air links with Italy,” the Prime Minister said.

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