Spot report by OSCE Observer Mission at the Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk, 30 November 2014: Russian convoy of 43 vehicles crossed into Ukraine and returned back through the Donetsk Border Crossing Point

This report is for media and the general public.

SUMMARY

On 30 November 2014 at 09:42 hrs (Moscow time), a Russian convoy consisting of 43 vehicles arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point. The vehicles were checked by the Russian border guard and customs services. On the same day at 21:16 hrs, all vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation. This was the seventh Russian convoy crossing through the Donetsk Border Crossing Point since the arrival of the Observer Mission at the Russian Border Crossing Points.

DETAIL

On 30 November 2014 at 09:42 hrs, the Observer Team witnessed the arrival of a Russian convoy at the gate of the Donetsk Border Crossing Point. The convoy consisted of 21 cargo trucks, 18 fuel trucks, and four support vehicles. All cargo trucks bore the inscription “Humanitarian help from the Russian Federation”. The convoy arrived two hours later than expected due to a snowstorm commencing during the second half of the night.

The vehicles stopped at the customs control area. The tail gates of the cargo trucks were opened, and Russian border guards and customs officers briefly inspected the trucks. The Observer Team saw that Ukrainian officers were present on the site during the inspection process. At 10:44 hrs, the last vehicle of the convoy left the Border Crossing Point towards Ukraine.

On the same day at 20:38 hrs, all vehicles of the convoy returned to the Donetsk Border Crossing Point and were briefly inspected by the Russian officials. No Ukrainian officers were present on the site during the inspection, but the Observer Team saw Ukrainian officials stationed across the fence from the Border Crossing Point observing the process and taking pictures from there. At 21:16 hrs, the last vehicle of the convoy had left the Border Crossing Point towards the Russian Federation.