Rebels shut down first Ukraine firm in trade war

Russian-backed rebels on Wednesday halted the operations of the first Ukrainian company after an ultimatum expired to end a trade blockade between the two foes. Protesting Ukrainian war veterans and opposition lawmakers have blocked rail freight traffic between government and rebel territory since January to stop the insurgents from receiving the cash they get in trading with Kiev. The situation has riled Ukraine's pro-Western government as it cut off access to a specific type of coal produced only in the east that it requires.