More than 250 Russian lorries are still waiting in a field near the border with Ukraine as officials from both countries finalise the practical details for delivering their cargo. <br /><br />On board – the Russians have said – is humanitarian aid for people trapped by the fighting between Kyiv’s troops and pro-Moscow separatists. <br /><br />Russia says the Ukrainian offensive is causing a humanitarian catastrophe for the civilian population in Donetsk and Luhansk where the conflict is concentrated.<br /><br />The Ukrainians fears the convoy could be used to help resupply the rebels. <br /><br />The Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe has representatives at the scene who confirmed the two sides are talking to each other.<br /><br />The Red Cross has said it will distribute the food and other supplies .. once it gets assurances its people would be safe.<br /><br />It also wants inspections by Ukrainian border guards and customs agents to confirm the strictly humanitarian nature of the cargo.<br /><br />The roads in the area on the Russian side are heavy with military vehicles. <br /><br />Kyiv has claimed it destroyed part of a Russian armoured column on Ukrainian territory in the early hours of Friday morning, but has yet to provide proof. The Russia Defence Ministry called that a “fantasy”.<br /><br />Ukraine has not made clear if the vehicles were manned by Russian soldiers or separatist irregulars.<br /><br />The report of the attack on the armoured column on Friday raised concerns that the Ukraine conflict could morph into an open confrontation between Russia and Western-backed Kiev. But Moscow made no threat of retaliation.<br /><br />In Washington, the White House said it could not confirm that Russian vehicles had been attacked on Ukrainian soil.<br /><br />On Friday, Britain’s Guardian and Daily Telegraph newspapers said that their reporters had witnessed more than 20 military vehicles, including armoured personnel carriers and fuel tankers, entering Ukraine from Russia at a remote unofficial border crossing.
