SPOT REPORT 31 October 2014 Russian convoy of 42 vehicles crossed into Ukraine and returned back through the Donetsk Border Crossing Point

SUMMARY

On 31 October 2014 starting at 07:40 (Moscow time), a third Russian convoy bound to Luhansk arrived to the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of 42 vehicles, including 30 cargo trucks and 12 support vehicles, were inspected by both the Russian and Ukrainian border guard and customs services. By 18:00 on the same day, all the vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation.

DETAIL

On 31 October 2014 at 07:30, officials of the Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) of the Russian Federation arrived on site and told the Observer Team (OT) that the convoy was bound to Lugansk and contained food and construction material.

At 07:40, the OT observed the arrival of the first vehicles belonging to the Russian convoy. All the trucks bore the inscription “Humanitarian help from the Russian Federation.” All the trucks opened the back door and canvas covers as they proceeded to the customs area.

At 07:50, a joint Russian-Ukrainian inspection started. Three Ukrainian customs officers and ten Ukrainian border guards participated in the inspection along their Russian colleagues.

At 08:10, the last vehicle entered the BCP.

At 08:45, the inspection was completed and the trucks left the customs control and crossed into the Ukrainian side.

At 15:34, two MES officials arrived to the BCP.

At 16:10, a first group of 19 trucks returned to the BCP. All the trucks lined up in the customs area for inspection which was performed by Russian and Ukrainian officials. By 16:33, the first group had left the BCP.

At 17:40, the remaining 23 trucks returned to the BCP and underwent as well an inspection led jointly by Russian and Ukrainian officials. The process was completed at 17:56.