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Russia sends aid mission to eastern Ukraine Ukraine may block Russian humanitarian aid convoy
(35 minutes later)
Almost 300 lorries of humanitarian aid have left the Moscow area bound for eastern Ukraine, Russia has said. Ukrainian officials have set conditions for receiving Russian aid in the east, after a huge convoy of food and medicine set off from outside Moscow.
Security council spokesman Andriy Lysenko said aid should pass through a government-controlled border post and be accompanied by Red Cross officials.
There are Western concerns that Russia is using humanitarian assistance as a pretext to invade eastern Ukraine.
At least 1,500 have died since Ukraine sent troops against pro-Russia rebels.
The fighting in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions since mid-April has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom have fled to Russia.
Taken by surprise
Almost 300 lorries of humanitarian aid left the Moscow area bound for Luhansk on Tuesday morning.
Russian TV showed the cargo, said to include hundreds of tonnes of grain, baby food and medicine, which will go to civilians trapped by fighting in the area held by pro-Russia rebels.Russian TV showed the cargo, said to include hundreds of tonnes of grain, baby food and medicine, which 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. Media reports said the cargo left from a point south-west of Moscow. It is expected to arrive at the Ukrainian border in the next two days.
Western powers have warned Russia not to use humanitarian assistance as a pretext to invade eastern Ukraine. "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.
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. But Mr Lysenko said Ukraine had three conditions for receiving the aid:
The fighting has displaced hundreds of thousands of people, many of whom have fled to Russia. Another Ukrainian official, Valery Chaly, said Ukraine would not allow access to a convoy accompanied by the Russian military or Emergencies Ministry.
'Military build-up' The BBC's David Stern, in the Ukrainian capital Kiev, says there has been some confusion in the Ukrainian government's response to news of the convoy, suggesting it has been taken by surprise.
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). A Russian Emergencies Ministry spokesman later told the BBC that the Russian lorries would not cross the border, and that it was up to the Red Cross to decide what to do with the aid.
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday announced the Russian 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.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 the organisation said it was not involved in the Russian mission as some issues needed clarification and security guarantees from all sides were required. On Tuesday, the organisation 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.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.
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. 'Military build-up'
"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.
Former Ukrainian President Leonid Kuchma, who is mediating in the crisis, was quoted by Interfax-Ukraine news agency as saying the convoy would be sent to Luhansk accompanied by representatives of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
There have been conflicting reports about the route the aid could take.
Mr Kuchma said it would enter Ukraine through government-controlled Kharkiv region, but officials in Russia's Rostov region - which borders on rebel-controlled areas - told Interfax they were expecting the convoy there.
Also, Ukrainian security council spokesman Andriy Lysenko said the aid had to pass through a government-controlled border post and be accompanied by Red Cross representatives. Agreement should be reached on where and to whom the aid was to be delivered, he added.
On Monday, Western officials warned that Russia could be planning military operations in eastern Ukraine, using humanitarian aid as a cover.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.
"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. Advances by government troops in recent weeks have put pressure on the rebel-held cities of Donetsk and Luhansk, leaving the latter in particular virtually cut off.
The fighting has prevented a full investigation of the MH17 air disaster on 17 July, in which 298 people died. The fighting has also prevented a full investigation of the MH17 air disaster on 17 July, in which 298 people died.
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.
Are you, or your relatives in eastern Ukraine? Are you affected by events in this story? If you are willing to share your experiences and photos of the situation, email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading 'Ukraine crisis' and include your contact details if it is safe to do so.Are you, or your relatives in eastern Ukraine? Are you affected by events in this story? If you are willing to share your experiences and photos of the situation, email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk with the subject heading 'Ukraine crisis' and include your contact details if it is safe to do so.
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here.
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