Russia-controlled Donbas has virtually closed itself off from Ukraine-controlled Donbas,

Russia-controlled Donbas has virtually closed itself off from Ukraine-controlled Donbas, according to figures cited by the Kyiv Post. From 250,000 weekly crossings in January, 2020, the number of weekly crossings fell to less than 1,000 last month. Closures that started last March to contain coronavirus have become permanent. Of seven crossing points, five are closed and two, one for Donetsk and one for Luhansk, work shortened hours, only allowing crossings by people with ‘special permits.’ “Bars are open, clubs are open, the border with Russia is open, the only thing closed is the crossing points into Ukraine,” ‘Darya, a young mother, tells Post reporter Oleksiy Sorokin. “Everyone knows (the militants) are just making money on it.”