Russia Enters Ukraine

Trucks from the convoy approach Ukraine in Russia's Rostov
region. Photo: Reuters

Thirty-four trucks of the humanitarian convoy that approached the international border August 12 crossed it through a rebel-held checkpoint, possibly accompanied by pro-Russian fighters, early this morning. Ninety more are expected to follow; there are about three hundred trucks in the convoy in total Red Cross representatives are not accompanying the convoy, saying that they are unsure of their safety. Ukraine has called the movement of trucks a "direct invasion."

The Ukrainian government agreed to the aid in principle; the next step was to be a full inspection, which has not occurred. The Russian government has threatened to respond to any "disruption" of the convoy; representatives of the Ukrainian military say they will not do so. The probable response would be a full, open invasion of eastern Ukraine. Ukraine has said it will liaise with the Red Cross to avoid any accusations of violent action against the convoy.

Both the Red Cross and Ukrainian officials have not had access to the convoy. BBC journalists who checked a number of the trucks at random last week found many of the trucks to be mostly empty. It's unclear why. Ukrainian representatives say Russia refused talks over the inspection of the convoy.  Russia accuses Ukraine of having insisted on inspection to delay the convoy unnecessarily over the last few weeks.

The trucks are approaching Luhansk, the scene of intense fighting between the Russian-supported separatists and the Ukrainian government. The convoy's progress will probably be impeded by the fighting – since they are moving into an active war zone. "Disruption" may be unavoidable.

Less than two months ago, the U.N. sent aid into Syria without the Syrian government's permission. It's possible Russia could claim that event as a precedent for the current unilateral humanitarian intervention into Ukraine.

The situation is unclear, and the consequences of the intervention cannot be predicted at this point.

Absent direct Russian support, the Ukrainian military is on the verge of recapturing both Luhansk and Donetsk, the two major strongholds of the separatists. So far, about 2,000 people have been killed in the fighting – about a tenth of the intensity of the Syrian Civil War.

It is exactly 100 years and 5 days since Russian forces invaded German-occupied East Prussia during World War One.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28892525
http://www.dw.de/ukraine-accuses-russia-of-invasion/a-17871568
http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/08/22/uk-ukraine-crisis-idUKKBN0GL1VH20140822
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/22/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-crisis-russian-aid-convoy-drives-into-ukraine-1.2743706
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/23/world/europe/russian-convoy-ukraine.html?_r=0
http://online.wsj.com/articles/russia-accuses-kiev-of-deliberately-halting-humanitarian-aid-convoy-1408697601