Moscow, Sep 26 (IANS/ITAR -TASS): The first four drones are set to arrive in Ukraine Friday for the monitors of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Russia’s ambassador to the OSCE Andrei Kelin said.

“Four drones are coming... these are small reconnaissance aircraft by a private Austrian firm,” the diplomat said, adding that the drones will be first tested before being inducted into reconnaissance operations for the ceasefire signed between the Ukraine and pro-Russia independence-seeking in the east of the country.

“The format of their operation is yet unclear,” Kelin said, explaining that the issue was yet to be discussed with the self-defence militias in eastern Ukraine.

“If their use is not agreed to by the militias, they won’t fly for long,” he added.

According to Kelin, Germany could supply several other unmanned aerial vehicles to Kiev.

Earlier this month, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko allowed the OSCE monitors to use drones in the east of the country.

Poroshenko and OSCE Chairperson-in-Office Didier Burkhalter also agreed to increase the number of monitors and provide them with better technical means for monitoring and verification the ceasefire.

The OSCE Secretariat earlier said the drones would be used to monitor the Ukrainian-Russian border in compliance with the ceasefire agreement reached in Minsk Sep 5.

The sides agreed that the drones would be supplied by the Austrian company Schiebel.

It will provide two S-100 vertical take-off and landing drone systems, a control station, six operators, and three mechanics.