A Russian convoy of trucks carrying humanitarian aid for Ukraine drives along a road near the city of Yelets on August 12. The convoy carrying tonnes of humanitarian aid left on Tuesday for eastern Ukraine, where government forces are closing in on pro-Russian rebels, but Kiev said it would not allow the vehicles to cross onto its territory. Ukrainian presidential aide Valery Chaly told journalists the cargo will be reloaded onto other transport vehicles at the border by the Red Cross.

Russia said it would transfer the convoy to the aegis of the International Committee of the Red Cross, but made no reference to the demand the goods be reloaded. The European Union said the aid would have to be verified. Reuters/Nikita Paukov