Aeroflot’s new low-cost (LCC) subsidiary Dobrolet suspended flights Aug. 4 due to sanctions  imposed by the European Union (EU). The new LCC began operations June 10 with Moscow-Simferopol services.

“The lease contract and agreements on Dobrolet Airlines’ technical maintenance, insurance and air navigation information exchanges have been annulled,” Russia’s Interfax news agency reported, quoting the carrier. “On conditions of unprecedented pressure coming from European counteragents, Dobrolet is compelled to suspend flights and ticket sales,” it said.

The carrier’s fleet comprised two Boeing 737-800s and one Sukhoi Superjet 100 (SSJ100). Before the end of the year, Dobrolet had planned to increase its fleet to up to eight aircraft.

The sanctions were introduced as Dobrolet, a state-owned subsidiary, launched flights to Crimea. On Aug. 1, the carrier launched Moscow-Volgograd flights; before the end of August it was scheduled to begin flights to Samara and Ufa.

Dobrolet had sold nearly 65,500 tickets; passengers will be carried by Aeroflot subsidiary Orenair. Aeroflot continues to operate flights to Simferopol.

Carriers that operate flights to Crimea include Moscow-based VIM Avia, Vnukovo-based Red Wings and Domodedovo-based Transaero Airlines. In July, Transaero launched services to Simferopol with a 522-seat Boeing 747.