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Russian Convoy Rolling Again Toward Ukraine Russian Convoy Rolling Again Toward Ukraine
(about 2 hours later)
VORONEZH, Russia — A Russian aid convoy destined for rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine resumed its southward journey on Thursday, in apparent defiance of demands by the government in Kiev that the shipment be stopped.VORONEZH, Russia — A Russian aid convoy destined for rebel-held territory in eastern Ukraine resumed its southward journey on Thursday, in apparent defiance of demands by the government in Kiev that the shipment be stopped.
Moving at a steady 50 m.p.h., several hundred commercial trucks and some army trucks with white tarpaulins set out before daybreak from a military base here in the city of Voronezh, where the convoy had halted for more than a day after protests from Kiev. Moving at a steady 50 miles per hour, more than 200 commercial trucks and some army trucks with white tarpaulins set out before daybreak from a military base here in the city of Voronezh, where the convoy had halted for more than a day after protests from Kiev.
Almost four hours later, the tail-enders in the column were entering the Boguchar district in the Rostov region, around 450 miles by car from Moscow. By midday, the column was about 25 miles from the Ukraine border, although its destination remained uncertain.
Most of the trucks had red numbers on the front windshield and a reporter saw numbers up to 258. Many of the vehicles were adorned with flags including the St. George crest of Moscow, while others displayed a red cross on a white background.Most of the trucks had red numbers on the front windshield and a reporter saw numbers up to 258. Many of the vehicles were adorned with flags including the St. George crest of Moscow, while others displayed a red cross on a white background.
The highway led by parched fields of sunflowers and small vegetable stands stocked with watermelons and tomatoes. The highway passed through parched fields of sunflowers and small vegetable stands stocked with watermelons and tomatoes.
Russia has said the convoy’s cargo included 340 tons of canned meats, 649 tons of water, and more than 62 tons of baby food.Russia has said the convoy’s cargo included 340 tons of canned meats, 649 tons of water, and more than 62 tons of baby food.
Moscow dispatched the trucks early on Tuesday, saying the purpose was to counter the threat of a humanitarian crisis in eastern Ukraine as government forces advance. In the industrial city of Luhansk, isolated by heavy shelling, for example, basic utilities like water and electricity have been cut off for more than a week.Moscow dispatched the trucks early on Tuesday, saying the purpose was to counter the threat of a humanitarian crisis in eastern Ukraine as government forces advance. In the industrial city of Luhansk, isolated by heavy shelling, for example, basic utilities like water and electricity have been cut off for more than a week.
While the convoy’s final destination was not yet clear on Thursday, the M4 highway leads away from the government-controlled region of Kharkiv, where the convoy had earlier been expected to cross into Ukraine on Wednesday, and toward a long stretch of border that the Ukrainian authorities no longer control.While the convoy’s final destination was not yet clear on Thursday, the M4 highway leads away from the government-controlled region of Kharkiv, where the convoy had earlier been expected to cross into Ukraine on Wednesday, and toward a long stretch of border that the Ukrainian authorities no longer control.
The convoy has intensified a standoff between Moscow and the authorities in Kiev, who remain deeply suspicious about its mission.The convoy has intensified a standoff between Moscow and the authorities in Kiev, who remain deeply suspicious about its mission.
On Wednesday, the office of President Petro O. Poroshenko of Ukraine said it would allow the trucks to cross after inspections by Ukrainian officials and monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.On Wednesday, the office of President Petro O. Poroshenko of Ukraine said it would allow the trucks to cross after inspections by Ukrainian officials and monitors from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
But rumors persisted that the column of white-painted trucks would bypass the government-controlled Shebekino crossing near the city of Kharkiv and head toward Luhansk, where pro-Russian separatist fighters exert more control.But rumors persisted that the column of white-painted trucks would bypass the government-controlled Shebekino crossing near the city of Kharkiv and head toward Luhansk, where pro-Russian separatist fighters exert more control.
The Russian government declined to specify its destination but insisted that the operation was still under the umbrella of the Red Cross, despite statements to the contrary from the organization.The Russian government declined to specify its destination but insisted that the operation was still under the umbrella of the Red Cross, despite statements to the contrary from the organization.
“It is moving in the territory of the Russian Federation; it is still moving,” Dmitri S. Peskov, the spokesman for President Vladimir V. Putin, told Russian reporters. “All this is going on in complete coordination with and under the aegis of the Red Cross.”“It is moving in the territory of the Russian Federation; it is still moving,” Dmitri S. Peskov, the spokesman for President Vladimir V. Putin, told Russian reporters. “All this is going on in complete coordination with and under the aegis of the Red Cross.”
The convoy’s halting progress toward Ukraine coincides with efforts by government forces there to force the pro-Russian separatists to retreat into Donetsk and Luhansk, the two major cities in the east of the country that they control.The convoy’s halting progress toward Ukraine coincides with efforts by government forces there to force the pro-Russian separatists to retreat into Donetsk and Luhansk, the two major cities in the east of the country that they control.
Both Ukraine and the United States have accused Russia of smuggling arms and fighters across the border to fuel the conflict in east Ukraine, where the civilian death toll is mounting. Russia has denied those claims.Both Ukraine and the United States have accused Russia of smuggling arms and fighters across the border to fuel the conflict in east Ukraine, where the civilian death toll is mounting. Russia has denied those claims.