International observers to arrive in Russia

Two groups of representatives from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) are scheduled to arrive in Russia's Rostov region Tuesday.

The observers would be attending a technical meeting with Rostov's regional leaders, and customs and border officials Wednesday, Xinhua reported.

Russia is ready to provide all kinds of assistance for OSCE's observation work, including the use of objective control means, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.

"The Russian president invited OSCE observers to eliminate all doubts about the weapons supplied by Russia to the Ukrainian militia and to observe what is happening at these checkpoints," Lavrov said.

Lavrov during a telephone conversation Sunday also urged US Secretary of State John Kerry "to instruct his subordinates not to hinder the OSCE in its work".

Russia announced Friday that the OSCE would send experts to monitor the situation at the Russian border and customs checkpoints.

Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of shelling on their territories, while the West has blamed Russia for the alleged weapon delivery to the insurgents in eastern Ukraine.