“If everything works out, then we plan to deliver humanitarian aid tomorrow,” Stepanov said in regard to Russia’s ninth humanitarian aid convoy.
The Deputy Minister said that Russia planned to send the tenth humanitarian convoy before the end of the year to bring presents to children in eastern Ukraine.
“We’re also planning [near the end of December] the delivery of gifts to children institutions in the territory so that there’s a week to prepare for New Year’s celebrations,” Stepanov added.
As a result of the armed conflict, launched in April by Ukrainian authorities, southeastern regions of Ukraine have been experiencing a severe humanitarian catastrophe.
Since mid-August, humanitarian convoys from Russia have delivered more than 10,700 tons of aid to eastern Ukraine's regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. The convoys have brought foodstuff, water, construction materials, power generators and medication, as well as warm clothes and winter supplies for the residents of war-ridden Ukrainian regions.
The ninth humanitarian convoy dispatched from Russia's Moscow Region on Tuesday and reportedly has already reached the Rostov Region that borders Ukraine.
