MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia’s 32nd humanitarian aid convoy for residents of Ukraine’s crisis-hit southeast (Donbass) has left for Ukraine, the Russian Emergencies Ministry informs.
"At 04:00 Moscow time [01:00 GMT] over 100 vehicles left the Donskoy rescue center of the Russian Emergencies Ministry and are now headed for the state border," a ministry representative told journalists early on Thursday.
Convoy vehicles will split into two groups at the border with Ukraine. Part of the aid will be delivered to the Donetsk region, while the rest will go to Lugansk residents.
Overall, Russia has delivered over 39,000 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Donbass since August 2014.
The region was severely affected by fighting between Kiev forces and independence supporters, which started in April, 2014. Donbass residents have also been suffering from an economic blockade imposed by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Donetsk and Lugansk in November, 2014.
Russia plans to send its 33rd and 34th humanitarian aid convoys to Donbass before the end of this month.
