KYIV. Aug 14 (Interfax-AVN) - The last convoy of the Ukrainian contingent involved in the international peacekeeping operation in Iraq embarked on a march to its permanent stationing area at 0110 GMT on Thursday, the press service of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry told Interfax-Military News Agency.
The convoy is traveling from Kuwait to the town of Al Kut in the Iraqi province of Wasit, a press service official said. "The convoy under command of Lieutenant General Yuri Kostin consists of 85 automobiles and armored vehicles and 512 servicemen of the 52nd detached mechanized battalion," he noted.
Just like the three previous convoys, the last convoy will make a two-stage march. The first halt is scheduled for about 1000 GMT. The convoy is planning to stop for the night at a U.S. Air Force base 250km from Al Kut at 1500 GMT, the official said.
According to him, the convoy is escorted by U.S. and British coalition units.
The commands of the Ukrainian Armed Forces' 5th detached mechanized brigade and 19th detached special-purpose battalion are already stationed at Al Kut.
The third convoy of Ukrainian peacekeepers that left Kuwait on Wednesday is expected to arrive at Al Ugol at 1400 GMT on Thursday.
The convoys are moving in adverse weather conditions, the official said. The air temperature is as high as 47 degrees above zero Celsius and soil temperature is 59 degrees above zero Celsius. That is why the convoys' average speed amounts to 20 to 25kmph.
According to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, the Ukrainian peacekeeping contingent in Iraq will total 1,660 servicemen. The Ukrainian brigade will start accomplishing missions under the coalition forces command's plan on September 1.