BREAKING:
At least five trucks from a Russian aid convoy that unilaterally entered eastern Ukraine on August 22 have arrived at a border crossing on their way back into Russia.
Paul Picard, the acting head of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) monitoring group at the Donetsk-Izvarino border crossing, said several of the trucks passed through the crossing on August 23 while others could be seen approaching the border heading toward Russia.
An AP reporter said he could not determine if the trucks were carrying cargo.
The convoy of some 220 vehicles had entered Ukraine without the permission of the Ukrainian government and without the accompaniement of Red Cross officials, as had been previously agreed upon.
Kyiv officials called the move by Russia an "invasion" and U.S. and other western leaders condemned the trucks' unauthorized entry into Ukrainian territory.
That concludes our live blogging for Friday, August 22.
Here's our newsroom's latest wrap-up of what has been an enormously active day in and about Ukraine. You can follow events as this story is updated or find news on Ukraine and the rest of RFE/RL's broadcast region HERE.
Ukraine Decries 'Invasion' As Russian Convoy Enters Ukraine
From Reuters:
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday expressed alarm at reports of a Russian aid convoy entering Ukraine without the approval of Kiev and suggested it could lead to an escalation of tensions, Ban's press office said.
"The Secretary-General follows with deep concern reports that a Russian aid convoy has crossed the border into Ukraine without the permission of the Ukrainian authorities," Ban's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said in a statement.
"While recognizing the deteriorating humanitarian situation, any unilateral action has the potential of exacerbating an already dangerous situation in eastern Ukraine," he added.
