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Ukraine rejects DPR request for rail traffic at night - media

As of now, trains between DPR and Ukraine operate at day time only

MOSCOW, October 10. /TASS/. Representatives of Ukraine at the economic subgroup of the Contact Group (on settlement of the crisis in Ukraine) rejected a request from the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) for allowing rail traffic cross the engagement line at night, the Donetsk News Agency reported on Saturday referring to a well-informed source.

"DPR insists on night-time rail traffic between Nikitovka - Mayorskaya and Yasinovataya - Skotovataya," the source said. "Ukraine would not allow it."

DPR says use of that part of the railroad at night would make the schedule of trains between the republic and Ukraine much better.

"The traffic at night will allow bigger cargo transportation and will ease the jams," the source said.

As of now, trains between DPR and Ukraine operate at day time only. The railway line barely manages transportation of coal export from DPR and import from Ukraine of materials for the republic’s industry.

Two more railway lines cannot operate now as the self-proclaimed republic still works on demining and repairing of the facilities.

Minsk agreements on Ukraine

The Minsk accords were signed on February 12, after negotiations in the so-called "Normandy format" in the Belarusian capital Minsk, bringing together Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Francois Hollande, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko.

The Minsk accords envisage ceasefire, weaponry withdrawal, prisoner exchange, local election in Donbass, constitutional reform in Ukraine and establishing working sub-groups on security, political, economy and humanitarian components of the Minsk accords.