SIMFEROPOL, March 12. /ITAR-TASS/. Crimea has suspended air traffic with Ukraine until March 17, First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Temirgaliyev said on Wednesday, March 12.

The restrictions were imposed two days ago. “We have to temporarily limit the receipt of civilian planes at Simferopol’s airport. This is a forced measure. It will be lifted on March 17, the next day after the referendum,” he said.

“This is a temporary decision in order to keep provocateurs away from the peninsula,” he added.

On Tuesday, March 11, the Crimean authorities cancelled all flights between Simferopol and Kiev.