TODAY: Impasse over ‘humanitarian’ convoy; Moscow authorities plan raids to monitor import ban; Putin begins Crimea visit amidst support for Crimea and Ukraine policies; Japan protests Kuril military exercises; Usmanov is top donor.

It is still unclear how Ukraine will deal with the 280 repainted military trucks attempting to bring Russian humanitarian aid across its borders, though as of last night the convoy had not turned back and was thought to be halted at a military base in Voronezh.  This report says it is still on its way to Rostov, with a further group rumored to be heading for Kharkiv. It is expected that Russia’s suspension of alcoholic drinks from Ukraine will not affect domestic prices.  Naftogaz says planned Ukrainian sanctions will not necessarily be targeted at Gazprom.  Moscow authorities will test the new produce import ban with target raids on supermarkets.  The ban was not followed by other CIS customs union countries, notes the Moscow Times – proof that the union is far from being ‘a genuine economic alliance’.  Vera Kichanova writes about the new, harsher laws threatening ordinary citizens who protest against the government.