Russia to ban Ukrainian air traffic in retaliatory move

The Russian transport agency said on September 28 that it is imposing the ban on instructions from Russian Prime Minister Dmitri Medvedev. The measure is in response to a decision by Ukrainian authorities on September 25 to ban Aeroflot, Transaero, and other Russian air companies from flying into Ukraine, also starting on October 25. Kyiv, whose ban is aimed at punishing Russia for its annexation of Crimea and its support for separatists in the country's east, is also barring Russian transit flights if the aircraft carries military personnel or dual-use goods. Also earlier this month, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko expanded a list of sanctions against Russian companies and individuals, targeting 400 officials and 90 companies.