UTair-Ukraine (Kyiv Boryspil) has drastically reduced its operations as the eastern part of the country continues to its slide into anarchy. According to research, the UTair (UT, Khanty-Mansiysk) subsidiary has parked its fleet of two ATR42-300s and three CRJ200s leaving only its B737-500, three B737-800s and several ATR72-500s in service.

The airline operates flights from Kyiv Igor Sikorsky and Lviv to Moscow Vnukovo in Russia using its B737-500, charter flights using its B737-800s and limited domestic service with ATR72-500s linking Donetsk and Kiev Zhulyany up to twice daily.

Tensions in the former Soviet state have further escalated after the self-styled "People's Republic of Donetsk" this weekend held a referendum in which locals supposedly voted to accede to the Russian Federation.

In neighboring province of Luhansk, officials said they might now hold a second referendum on joining Russia, similar to one held in Crimea, a Ukrainian region Moscow seized and annexed in March.