This article is from the source 'independent' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-crisis-russian-armoured-personnel-carriers-seen-crossing-into-ukraine-as-aid-convoy-row-continues-9670512.html
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Ukraine crisis: 'Russian armoured personnel carriers' seen crossing into Ukraine as aid convoy row continues | Ukraine crisis: 'Russian armoured personnel carriers' seen crossing into Ukraine as aid convoy row continues |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A column of Russian armoured personnel carriers has reportedly been seen crossing into eastern Ukraine as a disputed aid convoy stopped short of the border. | A column of Russian armoured personnel carriers has reportedly been seen crossing into eastern Ukraine as a disputed aid convoy stopped short of the border. |
| A Guardian journalist photographed one of 20 the vehicles, which carried official Russian military plates, travelling towards Ukraine from the Russian town of Donetsk, 130 miles from the rebel-held Ukrainian city with the same name. | A Guardian journalist photographed one of 20 the vehicles, which carried official Russian military plates, travelling towards Ukraine from the Russian town of Donetsk, 130 miles from the rebel-held Ukrainian city with the same name. |
| The convoy reportedly waited for nightfall before entering Ukraine along a dirt track through a gap in the border’s barbed wire fence, the Guardian reported. | The convoy reportedly waited for nightfall before entering Ukraine along a dirt track through a gap in the border’s barbed wire fence, the Guardian reported. |
| Government forces have not controlled the area for months, losing it to the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and other pro-Russia paramilitary groups. | Government forces have not controlled the area for months, losing it to the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and other pro-Russia paramilitary groups. |
| Erm ok so this isn't humanitarian aid. Column of over 20 APCs, 10km from the Ukraine border, and heading closer pic.twitter.com/OMvJmHzsx1 | Erm ok so this isn't humanitarian aid. Column of over 20 APCs, 10km from the Ukraine border, and heading closer pic.twitter.com/OMvJmHzsx1 |
| The existence of the military vehicles or their purpose has not been confirmed by Russia but the Ukrainian administration is likely to see it as confirmation of their long-held conviction about a Russian military incursion into their country. | The existence of the military vehicles or their purpose has not been confirmed by Russia but the Ukrainian administration is likely to see it as confirmation of their long-held conviction about a Russian military incursion into their country. |
| In April, Crimea was annexed with ease by the Kremlin, after a disputed referendum and the occupation of the peninsula by pro-Russian forces. | In April, Crimea was annexed with ease by the Kremlin, after a disputed referendum and the occupation of the peninsula by pro-Russian forces. |
| Ukrainian politicians had already raised concerns about an aid convoy of more than 200 lorries due to arrive on Thursday. | Ukrainian politicians had already raised concerns about an aid convoy of more than 200 lorries due to arrive on Thursday. |
| A tentative agreement has seen the shipment enter through a government-controlled checkpoint near Donetsk and inspected by the international Red Cross. | |
| Ukraine said its 41 border service officials and 18 customs workers began the inspection on Friday in the presence of aid agency representatives. | |
| Russian news agencies said Russia was prepared to present all necessary documentation and to hand over the cargo to the Red Cross. | |
| Such an inspection would ease concerns that Russia could use the aid shipment as cover for a military incursion in support of the separatists. | Such an inspection would ease concerns that Russia could use the aid shipment as cover for a military incursion in support of the separatists. |
| Russian officials said it was full of vital supplies ranging from baby food to sleeping bags for civilians facing crisis after months of fighting between government troops and militias. | Russian officials said it was full of vital supplies ranging from baby food to sleeping bags for civilians facing crisis after months of fighting between government troops and militias. |
| Kiev has also announced its own aid shipment to the war-ravaged region of Luhansk, where almost 250,000 people have been without water or power for nearly two weeks. | Kiev has also announced its own aid shipment to the war-ravaged region of Luhansk, where almost 250,000 people have been without water or power for nearly two weeks. |
| A victim of shelling in Donetsk The conflict has killed more than 2,080 people, according to the UN's human rights office in Geneva, and left many more desperately short of food, water and medical aid. | A victim of shelling in Donetsk The conflict has killed more than 2,080 people, according to the UN's human rights office in Geneva, and left many more desperately short of food, water and medical aid. |
| A spokesperson said at least 4,953 others have been wounded in the fighting since mid-April, with more than 60 people a day being killed or wounded as part of "a clear escalating trend" of violence. | A spokesperson said at least 4,953 others have been wounded in the fighting since mid-April, with more than 60 people a day being killed or wounded as part of "a clear escalating trend" of violence. |
| Additional reporting by AP | Additional reporting by AP |