Russian Humanitarian Convoy Enters Ukraine

World | August 22, 2014, Friday // 13:15|  views

A Russian aid convoy of white trucks waits to enter Ukraine at a border control point with Ukraine in the Russian town of Donetsk, Rostov region, Russia, 21 August 2014. The convoy has been standing at the Russian-Ukrainian border since 14 August. Photo b

A convoy of lorries from Russia are entering Ukrainian territory, the Foreign Ministry in Moscow has announced.

The vehicles have not been granted Kiev's permission to cross the border.

In its statement [RU], the ministry says that the convoy is heading to Luhansk and warns Ukraine against any actions it could take to stop the trucks.

Russia's diplomatic service added that Ukraine has "no justification" to delay aid deliveries for those affected by the conflict in Eastern Ukraine.

It also explains Russia's patience has worn thin as the lorries have remained blocked at the Ukrainian border since August 14, pending approval from Kiev.

German weekly Der Spiegel cites reports suggesting pro-Russian rebels are escorting the vehicles.

Representatives of the self-proclaimed "Luhansk People's Republic" have confirmed that rebels are accompanying the trucks to ensure the safety of both the relief and those escorting it.

"Donetsk People's Republic" officials, for their part, were quoted by Russian news agency RIA as saying insurgents were allowing the convoy to pass through checkpoints across the major roads leading deeper into Ukraine's territory.

Authorities in Kiev believe that the convoy is part the actions Russia has embarked on in the east of Ukraine over the past weeks.

Moscow says the 280 trucks (according to ITAR-TASS estimates) are only serving humanitarian purposes.

Apart from food, the vehicles allegedly contain medicine, sleeping bags and portable power stations.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has officially announced it is nor part of the convoy [RU], even though the Russian Foreign Ministry has said it is taking part.

The ICRC has however warned of severe humanitarian conditions in Luhansk, one of the biggest Donbass cities, which is facing shortage of food, water and electricity.

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Tags: rebels, pro-Russian, ICRC, humanitarian, convoy, Ukraine, Russia, Donbass

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