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Kiev plans to introduce pass control regime in Donbas on January 21

To get such pass, citizens will have to show passports and a copy of a document detailing the itinerary as well as the purpose of the trip to the territory under control or uncontrolled by Kiev

KIEV, January 14. /TASS/. A special pass will be required to cross the contact line in the conflict zone in Donbas starting from January 21, a spokesman for Ukraine's National Defense and Security Council said on Wednesday.

“The pass control regime in the ATO [military operation] zone will be launched from January 21. Such passes are due to be issued from January 21,” Andrey Lysenko said.

Kiev is considering plans to introduce both reusable and non-reusable passes for adults, while children will not need such documents. The regime will last until the operation ends.

To get a pass, citizens will have to show passports and a copy of a document detailing the itinerary and the purpose of the trip to the territory which is under control or uncontrolled by Kiev. Citizens will need to introduce the documents right at the checkpoints. A special pass will be ready within 10 days.

The regime was earlier planned to be introduced from January 11. Ukraine’s Defense Ministry said seven corridors would be set up to control the entry.

The Donetsk republic’s Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday Kiev’s decision to tighten traffic control in eastern Ukraine comes in a “grave violation of the fundamental rights and freedoms” of citizens and the Ukrainian government will have to bear the full responsibility for the consequences.