Russia denies its military convoy destroyed in Ukraine

Moscow, Aug 16 (IANS/ITAR -TASS) Russian defence ministry Friday denied the alleged "destruction" of a Russian military convoy by Ukraine.

"There is no Russian military convoy that allegedly crossed the Russian-Ukrainian border at night or in the daytime," the ITAR-TASS quoted ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov as saying.

It is regrettable that fake media reports on social networks, instead of facts, have become the basic of statements made at a higher level in some European states and "those have chosen the European path", Konashenkov said.

Meanwhile, Russian foreign ministry warned Friday of new attempts to sabotage cargo delivery to conflict-hit eastern Ukraine.

"Attempts to hamper the delivery of Russian relief aid to the regions in need are a source of our deep concern. The humanitarian action has entered its final stage," the ministry said in a statement, adding that Moscow and Kiev have coordinated almost all the key issues of the humanitarian aid mission.

The ministry added that the Ukrainian army had stepped up military hostilities with a clear aim to cut off the Kiev-approved route of the Russian relief convoy from the Russian-Ukrainian border to Lugansk.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Ukrainian counterpart Pavlo Klimkin Friday continued to discuss issues related to the delivery of humanitarian aid to southeastern Ukraine in a telephone conversation.

The two stressed the need for more prompt and responsible participation of international organisations in the implementation of the humanitarian mission.

A 280-truck Russian convoy carrying about 2,000 tons of relief supplies arrived in Russia's southwest region of Rostov Thursday, said the International Committee of the Red Cross.

According to the press service of Ukraine's anti-terror operation, 41 Ukrainian frontier guards and 18 customs officers have began inspecting the cargo Friday morning.

Once cleared, the humanitarian aid will go to Ukraine's eastern-most Lugansk region.

--IANS/ITAR-TASS