HMEIMIM. March 7 (Interfax-AVN) - The Russian military used drones to monitor the travel of the humanitarian convoy of the United Nations and the Syrian Arab Red Crescent to Eastern Ghouta, the head of the Russian center for reconciliation of opposing sides in Syria, Maj. Gen. Yury Yevtushenko, said on Tuesday.
"Russian drones were controlling the convoy's voyage. The militants' attempt at staging a provocation was stopped on time, and no casualties amongst convoy members and civilians were allowed to happen," Yevtushenko said.
The Russian military escorted the convoy of international humanitarian organizations to Douma on Monday. Forty-five trucks delivered 247 tonnes of food and medicines, he said.
"On its way back, the convoy evacuated 13 civilians, including five children. We were ready to evacuate about 1,000 sick and wounded people, but the militants prevented us from doing so," Yevtushenko said.
In all, five convoys of the UN and the Syrian Arab Red Cross have been escorted in Syria over the week to deliver 854 tonnes of humanitarian cargo, he said.
Russian military doctors gave aid to 86 Syrians, including 34 children, over the past day, Yevtushenko said.