Russia to Send Humanitarian Aid to Ukraine Sunday: Emergencies Ministry

More than 100 trucks with humanitarian aid from Russia are to reach eastern Ukraine on Sunday as the eighth convoy.

MOSCOW, November 25 (Sputnik) — Russia plans to send another humanitarian aid convoy to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine on Sunday, Russian Deputy Emergencies Minister Vladimir Stepanov said Tuesday.

"On Sunday we will provide humanitarian aid, which is urgently needed, taking into account today's weather conditions," Stepanov told journalists.

"We have already notified the Red Cross and all necessary structures, meaning that the Ukrainian side will be informed," he noted.

The convoy is expected to arrive in Russia's Rostov region late Friday and is set to be inspected by customs officials on Saturday. More than 1,000 tons of humanitarian aid will be sent on over 100 trucks, Stepanov said.

"This is construction materials to rebuild ruined homes and social facilities … slate, glass, tar paper – everything that is needed to prepare for winter," he explained.

The aid will be delivered to the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, Stepanov said, adding that Russia's aid to residents of the regions mired if conflict will continue.

Since August, Russia has sent seven aid convoys to eastern Ukraine, which has been suffering from a humanitarian crisis since Kiev launched a military operation against the region's independence supporters in April.

The convoys have delivered food, water, power generators, medication and winter supplies for the residents of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions ahead of the approaching winter.

Russia's previous aid convoy of some 70 trucks arrived in southeastern Ukraine on November 16. The Russian Emergencies Ministry has stated that the deliveries of aid to eastern Ukraine will continue for "as long as needed."