Construction of roads along the border has begun in Chernivtsi and Zakarpattia regions of Ukraine, the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine reported.

"This will contribute to more reliable control over the territories, prompt response to changes in the situation, as well as savings on fuel and equipment operation costs," the State Border Guard Service said in a statement on Telegram.

The initiative, supported by the government and Ukraine's Ministry of Internal Affairs, allows the border service to build roads along the EU border independently. To equip the western sections of the border, PJSC ArcelorMittal Kryvyi Rih will provide 70,000 tonnes of blast furnace slag free of charge. Ukrzaliznytsia will help deliver it.

To date, almost 35 km have already been equipped in Chernivtsi region and 17 km in Zakarpattia region. Another approximately 700 km of roads are planned to be built in the future.