Donetsk, Aug 12 – DAN. Humanitarian convoys have become a symbol of Russia's support to Donbass, said DPR Foreign Minister Natalia Nikonorova.
Five years ago, on August 12, 2014, the first EMERCOM humanitarian convoy consisting of 280 trucks started off from Naro-Fominsk in the Moscow region for the south-western border of the Russian Federation carrying two thousand tons of humanitarian supplies, such as food, medications, power generators. The cargo trucks were soon nicknamed white KAMAZes. Since 2014, they have delivered over 43,000 tons of humanitarian aid to the war-torn region.
"Five years ago Russia sent its first humanitarian convoy to Donbass, the first column of the white KAMAZes that later became a symbol of unconditional support," Nikonorova said.
She emphasized that the aid arrived just in time for the region devastated by active military action and the economic, financial and transport embargo imposed by Ukraine.
"Russian authorities have been supportive throughout these five years. They do everything possible to restore peace and wellbeing and flourishing of our land. We are immensely grateful for the fact they care about fates of Donbass residents and for their active participation in restoration and development of the Republics."
The recent humanitarian convoy arrived in the DPR on July 25, 2019. It delivered medication and medical equipment with the total cargo weight 140 tons. *ot