Ukraine destroys column of armored vehicles crossing over from Russia

The Ukrainian military said it destroyed a line of armored vehicles as it crossed into Ukraine from Russia, while a nearly 300-truck convoy said to be carrying aid was stalled on the Russian side of the border.

Reuters reports that NATO backed up the government in Kiev's claim that a column of armored vehicles from Russia tried to cross into Ukraine.  The United Nations said that it could not independently verify those claims, which the Russian government strongly denied. It was not clear if the vehicles were a part of the official Russian army, or if pro-Russian separatists were driving them.

Ukraine claims to have destroyed a majority of the vehicles.

In response to the allegation, the United Kingdom summoned Russia's ambassador and demanded an explanation about the matter. 

Although the violence in the region continues, there appear to be serious efforts underway to try and reach some kind of truce. Reuters says the highest-ranking deputies of both the Russian and Ukrainian presidents are meeting in Russia for talks.

Over the weekend of Aug. 16-17, the foreign ministers of both nations will also meet in Berlin to try and deescalate the situation. The foreign ministers of France and Germany will also attend that meeting.

Reuters notes that the 280-vehicle convoy that left Moscow for the Ukrainian city of Lugansk is still stalled on the Russian side of the border. Ukraine has vowed not to let the convoy into Ukraine, believing it to be some type of ruse to allow Russia to invade.

The Red Cross is currently trying to certify that the convoy is carrying only aid and nothing more, but the Russian government has not provide the Red Cross with an inventory of the trucks' supplies.

The Red Cross has said that it will deliver the aid on behalf Russia in order to try and satisfy both sides.