ROSTOV, Ukraine
Russian military vehicles entered Ukraine on Friday through the border crossing in eastern Izvarino, according to Ukraine's counterterrorism agency.
"The convoy did not consist of a big number of vehicles, however, we were unable to count them," one agency official said. "Though we have identified the Russian plates and signs on the vehicles."
Meanwhile, Ukrainian border guards and the Red Cross began controlling the Russian aid convoys, which arrived Friday morning to the Ukrainian border gate in Donetsk.
The convoy, which set out from Moscow on Tuesday, consists of 280 trucks, carry 400 tons of grain, 100 tons of sugar, 62 tons of baby food, 54 tons of medical supplies and drugs, 12 tons of sleeping bags and 69 generators of various sizes, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
However, Kiev suspects Russia of using the convoy as an excuse to send weapons and ammunition to pro-Russian separatists in the east of Ukraine.
Ukraine officials are to allow the convoy to enter the country after checking all 280 trucks. The convoy is then set to provide aid to the eastern region of Luhansk.
The European Union and Ukraine have also agreed Tuesday to send humanitarian aid to Luhansk, in addition to the Russian convoy.
Unrest in eastern Ukraine has torn the region apart since April, when the government launched "anti-terror" operations against armed separatists seeking to break away from Ukraine following the annexation of Crimea into Russia in March.
Luhansk is one of two areas controlled by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. The civilian population is facing severe shortages as government forces encircle rebel fighters.
www.aa.com.tr/en
