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Ukraine crisis: 'Shelling hits' rebel-held Donetsk | Ukraine crisis: 'Shelling hits' rebel-held Donetsk |
(35 minutes later) | |
Heavy shelling has been heard in the rebel-held Ukrainian city of Donetsk as a Russian convoy approaches the Ukrainian border. | Heavy shelling has been heard in the rebel-held Ukrainian city of Donetsk as a Russian convoy approaches the Ukrainian border. |
Initial reports say people poured out of offices in the centre of the city after an evacuation warning sounded. | Initial reports say people poured out of offices in the centre of the city after an evacuation warning sounded. |
Donetsk has been surrounded for several weeks by Ukrainian forces battling pro-Russian rebels. | Donetsk has been surrounded for several weeks by Ukrainian forces battling pro-Russian rebels. |
Meanwhile, more than 100 lorries carrying Russian aid are approaching a rebel-controlled border crossing. | Meanwhile, more than 100 lorries carrying Russian aid are approaching a rebel-controlled border crossing. |
There is continuing confusion over their final destination. On Thursday afternoon, the lorries had got to within a few miles of the border, where they had parked in a field, reports the BBC's Steve Rosenberg, who is following the convoy. | |
Russia has dismissed as absurd claims that its convoy is a pretext to send military supplies to the rebels. | Russia has dismissed as absurd claims that its convoy is a pretext to send military supplies to the rebels. |
But Ukraine has said the Russian convoy must be inspected by international monitors before it can be let in. | But Ukraine has said the Russian convoy must be inspected by international monitors before it can be let in. |
The situation is reported to be desperate in the rebel-held city of Luhansk, where civilians have been short of water, food and electricity for more than a week. Phone lines are also down as shelling continues. | |
A senior International Red Cross (ICRC) official, Laurent Corbaz, is flying to the Ukrainian capital Kiev and then on to Moscow to discuss the Russian aid initiative. | |
The ICRC says Ukraine and Russia need to clarify border crossing procedures. | |
Also on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting Crimea where he has announced that he has approved a defence ministry plan to set up a "Russian military task force" in Crimea. But he says the task force will not be "excessive", Reuters reports. | Also on Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin is visiting Crimea where he has announced that he has approved a defence ministry plan to set up a "Russian military task force" in Crimea. But he says the task force will not be "excessive", Reuters reports. |
Russia annexed the territory from Ukraine in March, in a move that drew international condemnation. | Russia annexed the territory from Ukraine in March, in a move that drew international condemnation. |
Fighting in eastern Ukraine has intensified in recent weeks, with the UN saying there has been a spike in the number of deaths. | Fighting in eastern Ukraine has intensified in recent weeks, with the UN saying there has been a spike in the number of deaths. |
Some 2,086 people have been killed since the conflict began in mid-April, and more than half of them died in the past two weeks, the UN said. | Some 2,086 people have been killed since the conflict began in mid-April, and more than half of them died in the past two weeks, the UN said. |
The violence began when pro-Russian rebels seized government buildings and tried to declare independence. | The violence began when pro-Russian rebels seized government buildings and tried to declare independence. |
The military launched an operation to retake the east, and stepped up its activities in June. | The military launched an operation to retake the east, and stepped up its activities in June. |
Are you in the region? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Ukraine crisis' in the subject heading and including your contact details. | Are you in the region? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Ukraine crisis' in the subject heading and including your contact details. |