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Ukraine conflict: Russia convoy 'in customs border zone' Ukraine conflict: Red Cross instructs Russian aid convoy
(about 14 hours later)
Four lorries from a 280-strong Russian aid convoy have moved into the customs zone near Ukraine's border, a Ukrainian security official has said. The Red Cross has given instructions to Russian lorry drivers at a Ukrainian border post so that they can deliver much-needed aid to civilians.
But Andriy Lysenko said cargo checks by Ukrainian border guards would not start until Thursday because Russia had not provided all the necessary papers. The Russian emergencies ministry said the drivers were told that the lorries must drive directly to the delivery point without stopping.
The vehicles are due to continue into eastern Ukraine to deliver aid to civilians trapped by fighting. They are expected to go to the besieged city of Luhansk, where there has been heavy shelling by Ukrainian troops.
Ukraine is concerned the convoy could be used to help pro-Russian rebels. There will be only one driver per lorry and a Red Cross escort at all times.
Russia has repeatedly stressed that the vehicles are carrying only food and medical aid to civilians trapped in the conflict zone, as heavy fighting continues between Ukrainian government troops and the separatists. However, it is not clear when the lorries will be able to cross the border. They have been held up there for several days.
The convoy is parked near the town of Kamensk-Shakhtinsky. They left the Moscow region on 12 August and are said to be carrying 2,000 tonnes of aid.
The issue is further complicated by the fact that the Izvaryne checkpoint is controlled by pro-Russian rebels, who also control Luhansk.
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has demanded security guarantees before it will let the convoy proceed with a Red Cross escort.
Earlier a Ukrainian security official said four lorries from the 280-strong Russian aid convoy had moved into the customs zone near Ukraine's border.
Andriy Lysenko said Ukrainian border guards would check the cargo on Thursday, once Russia had provided all the necessary papers.
Smuggling fears
The Ukraine authorities remain very cautious about the convoy, concerned that it might be used to help the rebels.
Russia has repeatedly stressed that the vehicles are carrying only food and medical aid for civilians trapped in the conflict zone, as heavy fighting continues between Ukrainian government troops and the separatists.
The rebels in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions declared independence from Kiev in April, following Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in March.The rebels in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions declared independence from Kiev in April, following Russia's annexation of the Crimean peninsula from Ukraine in March.
More than 2,000 civilians and combatants have been killed since mid-April, when Ukraine sent its troops to oust the rebels.More than 2,000 civilians and combatants have been killed since mid-April, when Ukraine sent its troops to oust the rebels.
Ukraine accuses Russia of arming the rebels and sending Russian soldiers into eastern Ukraine - a claim denied by the Kremlin.Ukraine accuses Russia of arming the rebels and sending Russian soldiers into eastern Ukraine - a claim denied by the Kremlin.
Ukrainian government officials and several Western states had expressed fears that the Russian convoy could be carrying arms destined for the rebels. Fierce fighting in the region continued on Wednesday, with both Ukrainian government forces and the rebels claiming control of the small town of Ilovaisk in the Donetsk region.
The convoy has been parked near the town of Kamensk-Shakhtinsky for several days after setting out from near Moscow on 12 August and is said to be carrying 2,000 tonnes of aid.
The Red Cross said Ukrainian and Russian customs officials had agreed to inspect the lorries but the issue was complicated by the Izvaryne checkpoint being controlled by rebels.
On Saturday, Ukraine's government declared the convoy "legal" but Red Cross officials said it had still not been given clearance because of some outstanding security issues.
In a statement on Wednesday, Ukraine's foreign ministry said: "The Ukrainian side will proceed with no delay with border and customs clearance as soon as it gets definitive confirmation by the International Committee of the Red Cross about its readiness to deliver the humanitarian aid to its destination.
"In particular, the ICRC... is expected to get security guarantees for personnel and cargo. Such guarantees for the ICRC should be provided, first of all, by the terrorists groups controlled by Russia, as well as by Russia itself."
The fierce fighting in the region continued on Wednesday, with both Ukrainian government forces and the rebels claiming control of the small town of Ilovaisk in the Donetsk region.
Ilovaisk, a town of 16,000 people, lies to the south-east of the city of Donetsk and is an important railway junction.Ilovaisk, a town of 16,000 people, lies to the south-east of the city of Donetsk and is an important railway junction.
Security forces said the town was under government control but the rebels said they had repulsed an attack.Security forces said the town was under government control but the rebels said they had repulsed an attack.
Nine Ukrainian soldiers died overnight on Tuesday, officials said, including an American with Ukrainian citizenship.
Fighting across the Donetsk region left 34 civilians dead and 29 injured on Tuesday alone, local authorities said.
Eastern Ukraine - the increasing human costEastern Ukraine - the increasing human cost
Are you in Donetsk or Luhansk? How is the conflict affecting you? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Are you in Donetsk or Luhansk? How is the conflict affecting you? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.