LUGANSK, August 22. /ITAR-TASS/. The Russian relief convoy has finally reached Lugansk, bringing a glimpse of hope to its war-weary population. As the white Kamaz trucks entered the besieged city, people rushed to welcome their rescuers who had delivered food and other essentials to them. Many hope that life in the city will start getting back to normal.

The Kamaz trucks will unload the cargo at storehouses and food storages. The first aid will be distributed on Saturday, August 23.

Twenty-four aid distribution centers have been set up in the city, of which twelve will open already next morning, the administration of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic said. But first, an inventory of the relief cargo will be carried out. The packing lists will be compared to those provided by the Russian side. According to Oleg Tsaryov, the speaker of the parliament of the Union of the (Donetsk and Lugansk) People’s Republics, the local authorities have already compiled a list of people who needed aid most.

“Pensioners, families where both parents work in public sector, refugees who suffered from bombardments, invalids and hospital patients will be the first to receive the relief aid,” Tsaryov said.

The humanitarian disaster in Lugansk occurred after the Ukrainian army had blocked approaches to the city. All food supplies to Lugansk were interrupted. The local people were left without drinking water or electricity. Power supply to social facilities had to be urgently restored after artillery shelling.