 rebel-held territory.

Throughout the eastern crisis that erupted in April, there have been consistent allegations that Russia is fomenting or directing the rebellion. Moscow rejects the allegations and the high-profile aid convoy could be aimed, in part, at portraying Russia as interested in cooling the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to cultivate that perception in a Thursday speech in which he said Russia hopes for peace in Ukraine.

It was not clear what Russia could hope to gain by sending in a military column while world attention was trained on its efforts to get the aid convoy into eastern Ukraine.

But some foreign journalists reported that Russian armored personnel carriers were seen crossing into Ukraine on Thursday night. On Friday, a statement on Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's website said "the given information was trustworthy and confirmed because the majority of the vehicles were destroyed by Ukrainian artillery at night."

NATO secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen also confirmed that Russian military vehicles had entered Ukraine, but he gave no specifics.

In Moscow, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry insisted that no Russian military vehicles were destroyed because none had crossed into Ukraine. Yet Britain said it summoned Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko in to clarify reports of the Russian incursion.

In Washington, National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said the U.S. government is working to gather more information about the reports. She said the U.S. remains concerned about repeated Russian and Russian-supported incursions into Ukraine.

Markets sold off heavily Friday, spooked by thought of Ukrainian troops engaging with Russia forces inside Ukraine. Germany's DAX, which had been trading over 1 per cent higher, ended the day 1.4 per cent lower.

The crossing reportedly took place near the southern Russian town where the aid trucks have been parked, awaiting permission to go into Ukraine.

After days of controversy, Russia nominally consented to let Ukrainian officials inspect the convoy while it was still on Russian soil and agreed that the Red Cross would distribute the goods in Ukraine's region of Luhansk.

In Washington, a Pentagon spokesman said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu "guaranteed" Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Friday that no Russian troops are involved in the transport of humanitarian relief supplies to eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine proceeds with own aid mission

In their first telephone conversation since late April, Shoygu assured Hagel that the Russian convoy "was
rebel - held territory. 

 Throughout the eastern crisis that erupt in April, there have been reproducible allegations that Russia is fomenting or directing the rebellion. Moscow refuse the allegations and the high - visibility aid convoy could be aimed, in part, at portray Russia as interested in cooling the dispute. Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to cultivate that sensing in a Thursday actor's line in which he said Russia hope for peace in Ukraine. 

 It was not clear what Russia could hope to gain by send in a military column while world attention was trained on its campaign to get the aid convoy into eastern Ukraine. 

 But some foreign journalist reported that Russian armored personnel carriers were seen crossing into Ukraine on Thursday nox. On Friday, a statement on Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's website said " the given information was trustworthy and confirmed because the majority of the vehicle were destroyed by Ukrainian artillery at night. " 

 NATO secretary - general Anders Fogh Rasmussen also confirmed that Russian military vehicles had entered Ukraine, but he gave no particular. 

 In Moscow, a spokesman for the Russian Defense Ministry insisted that no Russian military vehicles were destroy because none had thwart into Ukraine. Yet Britain said it summoned Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko in to clarify reports of the Russian penetration. 

 In Washington, National Security Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said the U.S. politics is working to gather more information about the reputation. She said the U.S. remains concerned about repeated Russian and Russian - supported incursions into Ukraine. 

 Markets sold off heavily Friday, spooked by thought of Ukrainian troop hire with Russia power inside Ukraine. Germany's DAX, which had been trading over 1 per cent higher, ended the sidereal day 1.4 per cent lower. 

 The crossing reportedly took place near the southern Russian town where the aid trucks have been park, awaiting license to go into Ukraine. 

 After days of controversy, Russia nominally consented to let Ukrainian officials visit the convoy while it was still on Russian dirt and agreed that the Red Cross would stagger the goods in Ukraine's region of Luhansk. 

 In Washington, a Pentagon spokesman said Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu " guaranteed " Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Friday that no Russian troops are involve in the transport of human-centered relief supplies to eastern Ukraine. 

 Ukraine proceeds with own care mission 

 In their first telephone conversation since late April, Shoygu assured Hagel that the Russian convoy " was
 rehel-held territory.

Throughuut the eastern crisis that srupted kn April, there have been condiwtent allegations that Russka is fomvnting or dirtcting the rebellmkn. Moscow rejsgts tke allegations akd the high-[rofile aid cotvuy could be aimed, in part, at portrayigg Russoa as interested in bojlinf the conflict. Russian President Vmadimir Putin appearrd to cultivate that perceotioj in a Thursday spfech in whixh hq said Russia hopes for peace in Uktaine.

It was not clear what Russix coukd hope to gqin ty sending mn a mplitary columk while world sttention was brainxd ob its efforts to get vhe aid convoy into gastern Uksanne.

But some foreign jiuenalivts sepofred thzt Rhssian arjored persknnel carriwrs were seen crossond into Ukraine on Thtrfday night. On Friday, a statement on Ukrdinjan President Petro Porishenko's website said "the giveg information was trustworthy and confirmed becauve thx oajirlty ud hhe vehicles were destroyed by Ukrainian artijmety at night."

NATO fecretary-gemegak Anders Fogh Tasmusszh zlso confirmed thah Russiwn mioitary vericlrs had entered Ukraine, but ye gave no siecidics.

In Moscow, a splkesman for the Russoan Defense Ministry inristsd that no Gussian mjuitary vehicles derv devtroyed because none had cwossed invo Ukxaine. Yeg Brotain faid it sulmoned Russian Ambassadog Alerandes Yakovenkl in to clarify reports of the Cnssian incursoot.

In Washingcon, Nabional Security Council spokexwoman Eaitliv Hayden szid the U.S. governmqnt is workinc to gather mmre infowmatuon qbout tfd reports. She xaid the L.S. remqins concerned abomt rekezted Russian anb Tyssian-supportec ivcuwsponx ytto Ukraine.

Mdrkegs rpld owf heavily Nriaay, xpooked by thought ox Ukdainian troops engsglng with Tussia fowces inside Ulraine. Germany's DAD, whirh had been trwding over 1 per cent higher, ensed the dwy 1.4 per cent lorer.

Tme ctossing repprtedly took place near the southern Ruwsian town where jhe aid trucks have bgen parked, awamting [ermissiot to go into Ukraine.

Qfter days of conuroversy, Russia nominalmy conventef to let Ukrainian officials inspect the convoy while it was still on Ruswian soil and agresd tnat tve Xed Crofs wlnld distribute thv goods in Ukraine's region of Luiansk.

In Wavhnngton, a Pentagon spokesman ssia Russian Defgnse Minister Sergei Shoygh "guaranyeed" Defense Secretary Chuck Habel on Friday that no Ruxsian triops zre innklted in the transport of hukanitqrian rwlien supplies to dasyevn Ukraine.

Kkramne proceeds with own aid mission

In their flrst telephone cmnversation rince late Wpril, Shoygu asshred Jagel that the Rusxian convoy "wax
rebel-held territory. Throughout the eastern crisis that April, have been allegations that Russia rebellion. rejects the allegations the high-profile aid could be aimed, in part, at Russia as interested in cooling the conflict. Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared to that perception in a Thursday speech in which he said Russia hopes for in It not what Russia could hope to gain by sending in a military column while world attention was on its efforts to get the aid convoy eastern Ukraine. But some journalists reported that Russian armored carriers seen crossing Ukraine Thursday On Friday, a on Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko's website said "the given information was trustworthy and confirmed because the majority the vehicles by Ukrainian at NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen that Russian military vehicles had entered gave no specifics. In Moscow, a spokesman for Russian Defense insisted that no Russian military vehicles destroyed because none had crossed into Ukraine. Yet said it summoned Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko in to clarify reports of the Russian incursion. National Security Council spokeswoman Hayden said the government working gather information about reports. She said the U.S. remains concerned about repeated Russian and incursions into Ukraine. Markets sold off heavily Friday, spooked by Ukrainian engaging with Russia inside Ukraine. Germany's DAX, had trading over 1 per ended day lower. crossing took place near the Russian town where the aid have been parked, awaiting After days of controversy, Russia nominally consented to Ukrainian officials inspect the convoy while it still on Russian soil and agreed that the Red Cross would distribute goods in of Luhansk. In Washington, a Pentagon spokesman said Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Friday that no Russian are in the of humanitarian relief to eastern Ukraine. proceeds with own In their telephone since assured Hagel that the Russian convoy
 rebel-held territory.

ThroughOut the eastErn crIsiS thAt ErupTed iN April, there havE Been Consistent allegations tHat RuSsIA is fOMeNting Or direcTInG THe rEbElLioN. MOScOw rejEctS the allEgations anD thE hIgh-profile aiD CoNvoy could bE aiMed, in part, at pOrtRaying ruSsiA As intEreSted iN cooliNG the coNflict. RusSiAN PresiDEnt VladIMIr putiN appeared to cultivATe THat perception iN a ThurSdAY sPEEch In wHich he said ruSsia hOPes for pEAcE IN ukrAIne.

It was not clEar what RussIA coUld hopE tO gaIN by senDing iN a MIliTary column wHile World atteNtion wAS traineD On its efForts tO geT thE aid COnVoY inTo EAstERn ukrAIne.

but some fOrEiGn jouRnalISTS RepoRteD thaT RussIan armored perSonNel cARriErs weRe seeN croSsIng inTo UkraIne on thUrsday night. On FrIday, A statemenT on ukRaiNiAn PreSIdent PEtrO PoRoshenkO's websiTE saId "THE GiVen information was tRuSTWoRthy and cOnfirmED bEcAUse the maJoRitY of tHE VehicLes wERe DestroyeD by UkrAInIaN artillErY at nigHt."

nATo seCretaRY-genEral AnDers Fogh rasmuSSen also confirmED that Russian mILiTARy VEhicLes Had entered UKraiNE, but He gaVE nO spECificS.

In MoScOW, a SPokesman for the RussiAn defensE MiniStry insisted tHat no RussiAN MIlitary vEhicLEs WEre destroyed beCause None had croSSed into UKrainE. Yet BritAin said it SUMmoned RuSsiAn AMbaSsaDOR ALexander YakovENKo in To Clarify RepOrts of tHe RUssIan IncUrSion.

In WasHington, NAtIoNaL SEcuRity COUncil spoKeSwoMaN CaItlin hAyden sAid thE U.S. gOvErNMenT is workINg TO GathEr MoRe inForMaTion aBout THe rEports. SHe said the u.S. rEMainS cOnCerned aBout repeated RUsSian and RusSiAn-sUpportED IncursioNs into Ukraine.

Markets solD Off heavIly fridaY, spoOked by thoUghT of UkrAinIAn trooPs engaGing wItH RuSSIa forCES iNsiDe ukraine. GerMANy's dAX, whIcH had Been traDing over 1 per cent higHEr, eNded the day 1.4 per CenT lowER.

thE crOSsINg rEpORteDLY took place near tHe southern ruSSiAn town wherE The AiD trucks Have beeN parkED, awaitiNg permissIon to go inTo ukraINE.

AfTer days of cOntroverSy, Russia nOMinalLY cOnsenTed To let UKrAinIan ofFicialS InsPect tHe convOy While iT was sTiLl on RussIan soil and agreed that the red CroSs wouLd dIstribute The GOodS in UkrainE's reGion of LuhaNsk.

in WAshinGtoN, A PentAgon SPoKesMAn saiD RusSIan DefensE miNisTER SErgei Shoygu "GUARanTeed" DEfeNSe SecrEtarY Chuck Hagel on FridAY that no Russian TrooPS Are InvOLved In The transport of HumAnITArian relIeF supplies to Eastern UKrAIne.

UkRaine pRoceedS with owN AId MIssion

in thEir First telePhoNe COnversaTiOn SInce laTe ApRiL, ShoygU assurED HagEL That the Russian coNvoy "wAS
 rebel-held territory.

Th roughout t he ea ste rncr isis  tha t erupted in A p ril,  there have been consi stent  a l lega t io ns th at Russ i ai s  fo me nt ing  o r  d irect ing  the re bellion. M osc ow  rejects the al legationsand  the high-pr ofi le aid  c onv o y cou ldbe ai med, i n  part,  at portr ay i ng Rus s ia as i n t er este d in cooling thec on f lict. RussianPresid en t  V l a dim irPutin appe ar ed to cultiva t et h a t p e rception in a  Thursday s p eec h in w hi chh e said  Russ ia hop es for peac e in  Ukraine. 

It w a s not c l ear wha t Russ iacou ld h o pe  t o g ai n  by se ndi n g i n a mili ta ry  colu mn w h i l e  wor ldatte ntion  was trainedonitse ffo rts t o get  the  a id co nvoy i nto e as tern Ukraine.
Butsome fore ign  j our na lists report edtha t Russi an armo r edpe r s o nn el carriers were s ee n cr ossing i nto Uk r ai ne on Thurs da y n ight . On Fr iday ,  a  stateme nt onU kr ai nian Pr es identPe tro  Po roshe n ko's  websi te said"theg iven informati o n was trustwo r th y an d  con fir med because  the majo rity of  th e  vehi cleswe r ed estroyed by Ukraini an  artil leryat night."

N ATO secret a r y -general  And e rs Fogh Rasmussen  also  confirmed that Rus sianmilitary  vehicles h ad enter edUkr ain e,b u the gave no sp e c ific s. 

In Mo sco w, a sp oke sma n f orth e Russian  Defense  M in is tr y i nsist e d that n oRus si anmilit a ry veh icles  wer ede s tro yed bec a us e none  h ad  cro sse dintoUkra i ne.  Yet Br itain sai d i t  sum mo ne d Russi an Ambassador  A lexander Y ak ove nko in t o clarif y reports of the Russia n  incurs ion .

In  Was hington,Nat ionalSec u rity C ouncil  spok es wom a n  Cait l i nHay de n said the U .S.  gove rn ment  is wor king to gather mor e  in formation abo utther e po rts .  S h e s ai d  th e U.S. remains co ncerned ab ou t  r epeated Ru s sia nand Rus sian-su pport e d incur sions int o Ukraine .
Mar k e tssold off h eavily F riday, sp o okedb ythoug htof Ukr ai nia n tro ops en g agi ng wi th Rus si a forc es in si de Ukrai ne. Germany's DAX, whic h hadbeentra ding over  1p ercent high er,ended theday  1. 4 per  ce n t low er.Th e c r ossin g re p ortedly t o ok  pl a c enear the so u t h ern  Russ ian town w here  the aid trucks h a ve been parked , aw a i tin g p e rmis si on to go intoUkr ai n e .

After  d ays of cont roversy,  R u ssianomina lly co nsented t ol et Ukr aini anofficials  in sp e ct theco nv o y whil e it  w as sti ll onR ussi a n  soil and agreed  that t he Re d  Cr oss w ou ld dist r ibut e the good s in Ukrain e's re gion  of L uhansk. 
In Was hin gt on, a Pent a gon spoke smansaid Ru ss ianDef ense M inis t e r Ser geiSh oyg u "guaran t e ed "  D ef e nse  Sec retar yChuc k Hagel o n  Fridaytha t  no Rus si ant r oops a r ei n volved inthe  tran s p ort of hum a nita r ia n  reli ef sup pliesto east e rnUk raine.
Uk r a ine proce eds witho wnai d mi ssion

I nthei rfir st  telephone conv ersation  since l a t e Apri l,S hoyg u  assur ed  Hagel thatthe R us s ian con v o y " was
 rebel-held_territory.

Throughout the_eastern crisis that erupted_in April,_there_have been_consistent_allegations that Russia_is fomenting or_directing the rebellion. Moscow_rejects the allegations_and_the high-profile aid convoy could be aimed, in part, at portraying Russia as interested_in_cooling the_conflict._Russian_President Vladimir Putin appeared to_cultivate that perception in a_Thursday speech_in which he said Russia hopes for peace_in_Ukraine.

It was not_clear what Russia could hope to gain by sending_in a military column while world_attention was trained_on_its_efforts to get the_aid convoy into eastern Ukraine.

But some_foreign journalists reported that Russian armored_personnel carriers were seen crossing into Ukraine_on Thursday night. On Friday, a_statement on Ukrainian President Petro_Poroshenko's website_said "the given information was_trustworthy and confirmed_because the_majority of the_vehicles were destroyed by Ukrainian artillery_at night."

NATO secretary-general_Anders Fogh Rasmussen also confirmed that_Russian_military vehicles had_entered_Ukraine,_but he_gave no specifics.

In_Moscow,_a spokesman_for_the Russian Defense Ministry insisted that_no_Russian military vehicles were destroyed because none_had crossed into Ukraine._Yet_Britain said it summoned_Russian Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko in_to clarify reports of the Russian_incursion.

In Washington,_National Security_Council spokeswoman Caitlin Hayden said the U.S. government is working to_gather more information about the reports._She said the U.S._remains concerned_about_repeated Russian and_Russian-supported_incursions into_Ukraine.

Markets sold off heavily Friday, spooked by_thought of_Ukrainian troops engaging with Russia forces_inside Ukraine. Germany's DAX,_which_had been trading over 1 per_cent higher, ended the day 1.4_per cent lower.

The crossing reportedly_took_place_near the southern Russian town_where the aid trucks have been_parked, awaiting permission_to go into Ukraine.

After days of controversy,_Russia_nominally consented to let Ukrainian officials_inspect_the convoy while it was still_on_Russian_soil and agreed that the_Red Cross would distribute the goods_in Ukraine's region of Luhansk.

In Washington, a Pentagon spokesman_said Russian Defense_Minister Sergei Shoygu "guaranteed" Defense_Secretary_Chuck_Hagel on Friday that no Russian troops are involved in_the transport_of humanitarian relief_supplies to eastern Ukraine.

Ukraine proceeds with own aid mission

In their_first telephone conversation since late April, Shoygu_assured Hagel that the Russian convoy "was