Spot Report by the Observer Mission at the Russian checkpoints of Gukovo and Donetsk: A forty-sixth Russian convoy of 46 vehicles crossed into Ukraine and returned back through the Donetsk Border Crossing Point

This report is for the media and general public.

SUMMARY

On 17 December 2015 at 07:00hrs (Moscow time), a Russian convoy arrived at the Donetsk Border Crossing Point (BCP). A total of 46 vehicles were checked by the Russian border guard and customs services. All but one of 46 vehicles had crossed back into the Russian Federation by 14:30hrs on 17 December. One escort vehicle was delayed and crossed the border into the Russian Federation at 16:05hrs.

DETAIL

Leaving the Russian Federation

On 17 December 2015 at 07:00hrs, the Observer Mission observed the arrival of a Russian convoy at the gate of the Donetsk BCP. The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations team led the process of the convoy movement. The convoy consisted of 39 cargo trucks and 7 support vehicles. All but one cargo trucks bore the inscription “Humanitarian help from the Russian Federation’’.

At 07:00hrs the vehicles entered the customs control area and lined up in three lines. The cargo trucks were visually checked by Russian and Ukrainian border guards and customs officers from the outside. One service dog was present on site during the convoy crossing and was used to check most of the cargo trucks from the outside. They performed visual check of the opened trucks from the outside. By 07:40hrs all vehicles had left the BCP towards Ukraine.

Returning to the Russian Federation

At 14:00hrs on 17 December, the convoy arrived and lined up in three lines at the customs area. The tailgates and tarpaulin of the trucks were opened and Russian and Ukrainian border guards and customs officers visually checked the returning convoy from the outside. Two service dogs were present on site during the convoy crossing and were used to check most of the cargo trucks from the outside. By 14:30hrs all but one of 46 vehicles had returned and crossed back into the Russian Federation. One escort vehicle was delayed and crossed the border into the Russian Federation at 16:05hrs.

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