Russia to Send Aid Convoys to Ukraine in Late April, Mid-May

Next Russian humanitarian convoys are scheduled for April 23 and for May 14, according to Russia’s deputy emergencies minister.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russia will send more humanitarian aid convoys to eastern Ukraine on April 23 and May 14, Russia's deputy emergencies minister said Monday.

Currently, a total of 23 vehicles are heading to south Russia carrying 200 metric tons of cargo. The aid convoy, to be Russia's 24th since the start of the conflict in eastern Ukraine, is expected to cross the border on April 16.

"The next convoy is scheduled for April 23," Vladimir Artamonov said. "The first convoy in May and the 26th overall is scheduled for May 14."

Russia's deputy emergencies minister added that the 24th aid convoy is carrying food products, construction materials and textbooks.

Overall, Russia has delivered over 30,000 metric tons of aid to the people of Donetsk and Luhansk since last August. The region has been on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe because of the military operation that Kiev launched in April, 2014 to suppress independence supporters of Donbas who refused to recognize the coup-imposed Ukrainian government.