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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Russia sends 'aid mission' to eastern Ukraine | Russia sends 'aid mission' to eastern Ukraine |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Almost 300 lorries of humanitarian aid have left the Moscow area bound for eastern Ukraine, Russia has said. | Almost 300 lorries of humanitarian aid have left the Moscow area bound for eastern Ukraine, Russia has said. |
| Russian media said the cargo, including hundreds of tonnes of grain, baby food, power generators and medicine, will go to civilians trapped by fighting in the area held by pro-Russia rebels. | Russian media said the cargo, including hundreds of tonnes of grain, baby food, power generators and medicine, will go to civilians trapped by fighting in the area held by pro-Russia rebels. |
| Russian officials said the Ukrainian government had agreed to the operation. | Russian officials said the Ukrainian government had agreed to the operation. |
| Western powers have warned Russia not to use humanitarian assistance as a pretext to invade eastern Ukraine. | Western powers have warned Russia not to use humanitarian assistance as a pretext to invade eastern Ukraine. |
| Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday that Russia was launching a humanitarian mission in co-operation with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). | |
| The ICRC has acknowledged the situation in eastern Ukraine is critical with thousands of people reported to be without access to water, electricity and medical aid. | |
| On Tuesday it said it was not involved in the Russian mission as some issues needed clarification and security guarantees from all sides were required. | |
| But it said it had agreed in principle to such an operation and suggested it could get involved if the clarification it had asked for was received. | |
| 'Military build-up' | 'Military build-up' |
| Media reports said the cargo left a point south-west of Moscow on Tuesday morning. It is expected to arrive at the Ukrainian border in about two days. | Media reports said the cargo left a point south-west of Moscow on Tuesday morning. It is expected to arrive at the Ukrainian border in about two days. |
| "The convoy will deliver to the residents of eastern Ukraine about 2,000 tonnes of humanitarian cargo, collected by the residents of Moscow city and region," Moscow region officials said. | "The convoy will deliver to the residents of eastern Ukraine about 2,000 tonnes of humanitarian cargo, collected by the residents of Moscow city and region," Moscow region officials said. |
| But on Monday Western officials warned that Russia could be planning military operations in eastern Ukraine, using humanitarian aid as a cover. | But on Monday Western officials warned that Russia could be planning military operations in eastern Ukraine, using humanitarian aid as a cover. |
| "We see the Russians developing the narrative and the pretext for such an operation under the guise of a humanitarian operation, and we see a military build-up that could be used to conduct such illegal military operations in Ukraine," said Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. | "We see the Russians developing the narrative and the pretext for such an operation under the guise of a humanitarian operation, and we see a military build-up that could be used to conduct such illegal military operations in Ukraine," said Nato Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen. |
| Responding to news of the convoy's departure, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius warned that the mission could be a way for the Russian military to install itself in eastern Ukraine and present the world with a fait accompli. | Responding to news of the convoy's departure, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius warned that the mission could be a way for the Russian military to install itself in eastern Ukraine and present the world with a fait accompli. |
| "This [convoy] is only possible, only justifiable, if the Red Cross authorises it... And Ukraine is in agreement," he said. | "This [convoy] is only possible, only justifiable, if the Red Cross authorises it... And Ukraine is in agreement," he said. |
| "As I speak to you, this has not happened. They should not be authorised to pass." | "As I speak to you, this has not happened. They should not be authorised to pass." |
| Ukraine has reported in recent days that Russia has massed 45,000 troops on its border. | Ukraine has reported in recent days that Russia has massed 45,000 troops on its border. |
| However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the idea of using the aid convoy as an excuse for military action as "absurd" and said the mission was purely humanitarian and non-military. | However, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the idea of using the aid convoy as an excuse for military action as "absurd" and said the mission was purely humanitarian and non-military. |
| He said the point of entry into Ukraine would be agreed with the Ukrainian government. | He said the point of entry into Ukraine would be agreed with the Ukrainian government. |
| At least 1,500 people have died since Ukraine's new government sent in troops to put down an insurrection by pro-Russia separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in mid-April. | At least 1,500 people have died since Ukraine's new government sent in troops to put down an insurrection by pro-Russia separatists in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in mid-April. |
| Pro-Russia separatists sparked a four-month battle with Ukrainian government forces when they overran large swathes of the east and declared independence from Ukraine. | Pro-Russia separatists sparked a four-month battle with Ukrainian government forces when they overran large swathes of the east and declared independence from Ukraine. |
| The fighting has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom have fled to Russia. | The fighting has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom have fled to Russia. |
| Ukrainian forces have now encircled Donetsk, a city of one million people before the unrest began, and residents are struggling without power or reliable sources of food. | Ukrainian forces have now encircled Donetsk, a city of one million people before the unrest began, and residents are struggling without power or reliable sources of food. |
| The fighting has prevented a full investigation of the MH17 air disaster, in which 298 people died. | The fighting has prevented a full investigation of the MH17 air disaster, in which 298 people died. |
| The Malaysia Airlines plane was brought down in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine on 17 July and the remains of many of the victims are still to be recovered. | The Malaysia Airlines plane was brought down in the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine on 17 July and the remains of many of the victims are still to be recovered. |
| It is strongly suspected that the plane was shot down by pro-Russian rebels. Russia and the separatists have blamed the Ukrainian military. | It is strongly suspected that the plane was shot down by pro-Russian rebels. Russia and the separatists have blamed the Ukrainian military. |
| Speaking on Tuesday, US Secretary of State John Kerry said he hoped to find a way for Ukraine to work with Russia to help bring about a formal investigation into the crash. | Speaking on Tuesday, US Secretary of State John Kerry said he hoped to find a way for Ukraine to work with Russia to help bring about a formal investigation into the crash. |