Ukraine: Russian aid convoy needs Red Cross supervision

World Today

In this image taken from video, a convoy of white trucks with humanitarian aid leaves Alabino, outside Moscow on Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2014. (AP Photo/ RTR via Associated Press Television)

A convoy of 280 Russian trucks reportedly packed with aid headed for eastern Ukraine on Tuesday, but Ukraine’s government said it would only allow the goods through under the close supervision of the international Red Cross.

Kiev and Western governments warned Moscow against any attempt to turn the operation into a military intervention by stealth. The region faces a humanitarian crisis after four months of warfare.

“We will not allow any escort by the emergencies ministry of Russia or by the military (onto Ukrainian territory). Everything will be under the control of the Ukrainian side,” said Valery Chaly, a Ukrainian presidential aide.

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Officials with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and Ukraine’s government said they had no information on what the trucks were carrying or where specifically they were headed.

Kiev and its Western allies say Russia has been funneling tanks, missiles and other heavy weapons to the separatist militias in eastern Ukraine for months. Moscow denies this.

CCTV’s Kate Parkinson reports.

Russian aid convoy needs Red Cross supervision

A Russian convoy of trucks filled with humanitarian aid is on its way to Eastern Ukraine, but Ukrainian officials are skeptical, wondering if it's a prelude to a Russian military invasion.

Report compiled with information from Reuters and The Associated Press