Spot Report by the Observer Mission at the Russian checkpoints of Gukovo and Donetsk:Two Russian convoys crossed into Ukraine through Donetsk Border Crossing Point

SUMMARY

On 19 and 21 December 2014 two Russian convoys crossed into Ukraine through the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). These were the 10th and 11th Russian convoys crossing through the Donetsk BCP since the arrival of the Observer Mission (OM) at the Russian BCPs.

DETAIL

19 December

On 19 December at 22:10 the OM observed the arrival of a Russian convoy at the gate of the Donetsk BCP. The convoy consisted of six trucks. The livery of the trucks included popular motifs associated with celebration of New Year, and taglines such as “From Russia with love” or “New Year of Donbass children”. Every truck bore one Russian and one white flag. The vehicles stopped at the customs control area and the trucks were opened and inspected by Russian Federation (RF) border guards and customs officers. According to BCP Russian officials, the trucks were carrying gifts, toys, chocolates, cakes and candies. The OM did not see any Ukrainian officers present during the inspection. By 22:25 the convoy had left the BCP towards Ukraine.

This convoy was not observed crossing back into the RF by the time of drafting this report.

21 December

On 21 December at 07:45 the OM observed the arrival of another Russian convoy at the gate of the Donetsk BCP. This convoy consisted of 71 cargo trucks, 16 fuel trucks, two escort vehicles, one logistics vehicle, one command-and-control vehicle and one ambulance. All but one cargo truck bore the inscription “Humanitarian help from the Russian Federation”, the other “Gifts for the children of Donbass”. The vehicles stopped at the customs-control area and the cargo trucks were opened and inspected by RF border guards and customs officers. The OM saw that Ukrainian officers were present during the inspection process. By 09:41 the convoy had left the BCP towards Ukraine.

At 20:55 the convoy returned, lined up at the customs area and was inspected by RF officers. The OM saw Ukrainian officers on site as well. By 21:42 all 92 vehicles had returned and crossed back into the RF.