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Developments in eastern Ukraine

Russia’s relief aid convoy to cross into Ukraine on Kiev’s decision — source

The Red Cross and the Russian side have done everything on their part to settle all cargo formalities and have also provided all necessary documents to Ukraine, the source says

© ITAR-TASS/Dmitry Rogulin

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Humanitarian cargo from Russia remains on Ukrainian border pending checks

KAMENSK SHAKHTINSKY (Rostov Region), August 21. /ITAR-TASS/. The first 16 trucks with Russia’s humanitarian aid for residents of war-torn eastern Ukraine will cross the border only after all procedures are approved by the Ukrainian side, a source familiar with the matter said on Thursday.

“The International Committee of the Red Cross and the Russian side have done everything on their part to settle all cargo formalities and have also provided all necessary documents to Ukraine. Now everything depends on Ukraine’s officials,” the source said.

Red Cross representatives will be escorting in their cars the humanitarian aid convoy of Russian trucks along the route in the embattled south-eastern Ukraine, the Russian Emergencies Ministry’s press service said on Thursday.

“Cars bearing Red Cross flags will be escorting the convoy along its route,” the press service said. “There must be only a single driver in the cabin of each vehicle, all stops are prohibited along the route and medical personnel will be also in the escort in case emergency medical assistance is needed.”

An ITAR-TASS correspondent reported from the site that the first 16 trucks with relief supplies were standing at the Donetsk-Izvarino checkpoint on the Russian side, waiting for the customs and border control procedures to begin.

A representative of a transport company that has undertaken to deliver the Russian humanitarian aid to eastern Ukraine said that the second group of 16 trucks was expected to arrive at the Russian-Ukraine border.

The Russian Emergencies Ministry sent a convoy of some 260 trucks with relief supplies for residents of war-torn eastern Ukraine on August 12. The cargo contains 2,000 tons of humanitarian aid, including food (grain, sugar, baby food), medicines, sleeping bags and portable power generators.

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Ukraine Eastern Ukraine Humanitarian aid Red Cross

Israeli-Palestinian conflict

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