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Ukraine crisis: 'Shelling hits' rebel-held Donetsk Ukraine crisis: Shells hit Donetsk amid Russia convoy row
(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 hit the rebel-held Ukrainian city of Donetsk, amid a continuing row over a controversial Russian aid convoy.
Initial reports say people poured out of offices in the centre of the city after an evacuation warning sounded. People poured out of offices in the city centre after an evacuation warning sounded. At least one person has died.
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, at least 260 lorries carrying Russian aid are approaching a rebel-controlled border crossing. The convoy of at least 260 lorries carrying Russian aid has now halted, after moving towards the border.
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. There is continuing confusion over the 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.
At the scene: BBC's Steve Rosenberg, with the Russian convoy
We followed the convoy for about nine hours, having left Voronezh before dawn. The convoy turned off the main highway - the M4 - on to a smaller road to the border. All the lorries are now parked here in a field.
We asked one commander to show us the contents of the lorries. He selected one, and it contained sleeping bags. But it was just one of at least 260 lorries. I cannot say accurately what the contents of the others are. The lorries will wait here until the convoy is given orders - but there is no indication when that will be.
I spoke to one driver. He was very anti-American and asked why the United States was trying to take Ukraine away from Russia.
The key question now is what Russia does next. If it takes the convoy across the border, it will be seen by the Ukrainian authorities as a major provocation.
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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.
Andriy Lysenko, a spokesman for Ukraine's National Security and Defence Council, said that if this did not happen, "movement of the convoy will be blocked with all the forces available".
Meanwhile, 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.Meanwhile, 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.
Putin visitPutin visit
Artillery fire could be heard all around Donetsk on Thursday, with the authorities urging people to stay off the streets.
Two shopping centres were reportedly hit.
It was unclear who had fired the shells.
One city resident, Valentina Smirnova, told Associated Press as she cleared up rubble: "My son left and now I am staying with my daughter. I don't know what to do afterwards. Where should I run to after that?"
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.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.The ICRC says Ukraine and Russia need to clarify border crossing procedures.
Ukraine is also sending a humanitarian aid convoy to the east.Ukraine is also sending a humanitarian aid convoy to the east.
Some 75 lorries with 800 tonnes of aid left Kiev, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk for Luhansk on Thursday morning, the presidential website said.Some 75 lorries with 800 tonnes of aid left Kiev, Kharkiv and Dnipropetrovsk for Luhansk on Thursday morning, the presidential website said.
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 taskforce" in Crimea. But he says the taskforce 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 taskforce" in Crimea. But he says the taskforce 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.