Ukraine set terms today for allowing in Russian aid after Moscow sent a 280-truck convoy to the conflict-torn east and fueled fears the mission could be used to aid rebels.
The authorities in Kiev said they would stop the Russian lorries at the border but allow the aid to be unloaded and shipped into eastern Ukraine with the help of the Red Cross.
"We will not allow (the aid) to be accompanied by the Russian ministry for emergency situations or by Russian troops," said Valeriy Chalyy, deputy head of the presidential administration.
Russia has stepped up calls for a humanitarian mission to the east where Ukrainian troops have tightened their grip following four months of fierce battles with pro-Moscow rebels that have left cities without power, running water or fuel.
There are also food shortages.
A convoy of 280 lorries left Moscow today for eastern Ukraine carrying 2,000 tonnes of "humanitarian supplies," including medical equipment, baby food and sleeping bags, Russian media reported.
Sources told Russian news agencies the convoy would arrive at the border tomorrow.
President Vladimir Putin has announced yesterday that Moscow was sending a humanitarian mission to deal with the "catastrophic consequences" of Kiev's offensive against insurgents.
Moscow insisted it was working in collaboration with the International Committee of the Red Cross and that the convoy would not include military personnel.
But the international aid agency said today there was still no agreement on the issue and France insisted such convoys should not be allowed to cross the border unless they met strict conditions, including Red Cross approval.
As rebel strongholds warn of a looming humanitarian disaster in the east, Kiev has said it will only accept aid as part of a broader international mission involving Europe and the US under the supervision of the Red Cross.
The United States and other western powers accuse Moscow of fanning the insurgency by supplying arms to the rebels.
And at a time when Ukrainian forces are gaining ground against the rebels, they have also warned Russia against sending troops into Ukraine in the guise of a humanitarian mission.
NATO says Moscow has massed 20,000 troops along the Ukrainian border, while Kiev has put the number at 45,000.
Moscow however has denied the allegations.
As fierce fighting continued in the industrial east, Ukraine's military said six servicemen had been killed and 31 were wounded in the past 24 hours.
Seven civilians were also injured in shelling overnight in the besieged main insurgent bastion of Donetsk, local authorities said.
