Russia to build border fence in Crimea: report

Russia intends to build a 50-km long fence on the border between Crimea and Ukraine, Russia's Tass news agency reported Wednesday.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin

Plans for building the fence to "ensure the (Crimea) republic's security" have been unveiled, said the report, quoting the Russian Security Service (FSB) division for Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

The FSB has announced on the government procurement website a tender to "supply and install a full profile fence" in the Krasnoperekopsky district in Crimea on the border with Ukraine.

The winner of the tender for 212.9 million rubles (3.7 million U.S. dollars) will be named on Oct. 16, and the work should be completed in December, according to Tass.

The autonomous republic of Crimea became part of Russia in March 2014 following a local referendum, which was rejected by Ukraine and Western countries.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)