Chubarov says Crimea's energy blockade to be next step

A halt to energy supplies to Crimea could be the next stage in Crimea's blockade, Chairman of the Crimean Tatars' Mejlis Refat Chubarov told Ukrainian news Channel 5.

"We do not rule out that at other stages [of the blockage] the main thing will be to suspend the power supply… I expect it may happen in October," Chubarov said.

At this, he pointed to long queues of trucks at checkpoints in Kalanchak and Chaplynka in Kherson region, although about 40 vehicles drove back yesterday to other cities in mainland Ukraine.

Commenting on reports that the State Rail Transport Administration, or Ukrzaliznytsia, has not suspended deliveries of goods to the occupied Crimea, Chubarov said he did not put this information in question, but could not confirm it.

As UNIAN reported earlier, the blockade of goods supplies to the occupied Crimea began on September 20 at the initiative of the Crimean Tatar community that later was joined by members of the Right Sector organization. The entrance to the peninsula is closed for truck traffic, while passenger cars and pedestrians can enter Crimea unhindered.

Many trucks had to drive back as there are long lines of vehicles being inspected by law enforcement agencies at the checkpoints on the administrative border with Crimea.