MOSCOW, December 21 /TASS/. A Russian relief convoy bound for Donbas is heading for the Russian border with Ukraine, a Russian Emergencies Ministry source told TASS.
“A relief convoy consisting of more than 180 trucks left the Donskoye rescue center of the Russian Emergencies Ministry /Russia’s southern/ Rostov region and is heading for the Russian border,” the ministry’s representative said.
The relief cargo includes New Year presents, building materials for renovation of damaged socially significant buildings, including schools and kindergartens, as well as food and medical supplies for people suffering from cardio-vascular diseases and diabetes as well as anti-influenza drugs.
“Dozens of public organizations and thousands of Russians who are not indifferent to other people’s trouble had collected the relief aid. They brought in New Year presents, food products and building materials,” Drobyshevsky said.
Russia had notified the Ukrainian side and international organizations in advance of its intention to dispatch the 10th relief cargo to Donbas.
“We invited them to inspect the cargoes at border crossing points,” the Emergencies Ministry spokesperson said.
A day earlier, journalists had been shown the trucks’ content. They could choose and inspect any vehicles. According to TASS, the journalists found Christmas trees lapped in fabric, cedars, sweets and ruberoid.
“All the trucks have undergone maintenance and repairs. All the drivers have been instructed how to drive in extreme conditions. Almost all of them have already delivered relief cargoes to the Donetsk and Lugansk regions,” the Russian Emergencies Ministry said.
Nine Russian relief convoys have delivered about 12,000 tonnes of relief cargos, predominantly medical supplies and building materials, to Donetsk and Lugansk since August 11.