Kiev and Moscow have come to an agreement on a humanitarian air mission to ethnic Russians in the rebel-held city of Luhansk in eastern Ukraine, where thousands of people are without power, water, or medical supplies.  It comes after Russia assured that the convoy would not contain any arms, armed personnel, or soldiers.

“It is being sent under the aegis of the Red Cross and with the agreement of Kiev,” said Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for Russian President Vladimir Putin, who added that the convoy would probably depart this week.  The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) set strict conditions before agreeing to take part, noting the necessity of maintaining its neutral role.

“All parties must also guarantee the security of ICRC staff and vehicles, for the entire duration of the operation” the ICRC’s Laurent Corbaz said.

Earlier western leaders had warned Russia not to try to use the convoy as a pretext for invading Ukraine.  About 1,500 have died since Ukrainian troops moved into the east to reclaim territory seized by the Russian-backed separatists.