Kiev, rebels exchange POWs; trains, buses to Crimea suspended

Armed pro-Russian separatists (R) escort a column of Ukrainian prisoners of war as they walk across central Donetsk, in this August 24, 2014 file photo. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov/Files

KIEV (Reuters) - Ukraine's government and pro-Russian separatists on Friday exchanged hundreds of prisoners of war while Kiev said it would suspend all train and bus service to Crimea, effectively creating a transportation blockade to and from the region.

The agreement to swap 150 Ukrainian servicemen for 222 rebels followed peace talks between envoys of Ukraine, Russia, the separatists and European security watchdog Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) on Wednesday.