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12 Russian armored vehicles join aid convoy poised to enter Ukraine

Associated Press
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Russian solders with their several military vehicle gather at the rail road crossing about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Ukrainian border at Rostov-on-Don region, Russia, early Friday, Aug. 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) (The Associated Press)

Russian solders with their several military vehicle gather at the rail road crossing about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Ukrainian border at Rostov-on-Don region, Russia, early Friday, Aug. 15, 2014. The sigh reads "Customs control zone". (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) (The Associated Press)

Russian solders with their several military vehicle gather at the rail road crossing about 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Ukrainian border at Rostov-on-Don region, Russia, early Friday, Aug. 15, 2014. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) (The Associated Press)

A dozen Russian armored personnel carriers have appeared near a large aid convoy that is parked near the Ukrainian border and poised to cross into rebel-held territory.

Ukraine has expressed fears that Russia could use the aid shipment as cover for a military incursion in support of the separatists and threatened to use all means necessary to block the convoy if Ukrainian officials and the Red Cross were not allowed to inspect the cargo.

But in a possible sign that Ukraine and Russia have taken steps to ease mounting tensions over the convoy, the Interfax Ukraine news agency reported Friday that arrangements had been made to allow the cargo to enter the country through the Izvaryne crossing point under the control of Ukrainian officials and in the presence of OSCE representatives.