Russian convoy heads towards Ukraine border

A Russian convoy carrying humanitarian aid for residents in rebel eastern Ukrainian regions moves along a road about 50 km from Voronezh, Russia, 14 August: photos - EPA/YURI KOCHETKOV

The destination of the convoy is unclear although the BBC reported on Thursday morning that it aapears to be heading for the Russian city of Rostov, near the border with Ukraine.

The Ukraine government, suspicious of the contents of the convoy, has said that the contents must be inspected before being allowed into the country.

Moscow says that it is coordinating the aid effort with the International Red Cross.

“Amid the media storm, we stress that aid delivery into east Ukraine should not be politicized. Our priority remains helping people in need,” the Red Cross has said on Twitter.

The Reuters news agency reports of a military-style training camp in the Rostov region, with a broken down border fence and tracks consistent with armoured personnel carriers or tanks, adding to a body of evidence of Russian involvement in Ukraine's war.

"It is a camp. Exercises are going on," a Russian man told the news agency.

Over 2,000 people have been killed since the conflict between Ukraine forces and rebels began in mid-April, and more than half of them in the past two weeks, the United Nations has said. (pg)