Ukraine: 130 Russian aid trucks crossing border a 'direct invasion'

KIEV, Ukraine, Aug. 22 (UPI) -- Russia violated international law on Friday, the Ukrainian government alleged, after 130 aid trucks entered Ukraine without the agreed upon inspection by Ukrainian border guards or escort by International Committee of the Red Cross personnel.

"We call this a direct invasion for the first time under the cynical cover of the Red Cross," Ukraine's Security Service chief, Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, told reporters Friday.

The incident occurred Friday morning when Russian forces blocked Ukrainian officials from inspecting 130 KamAZ trucks that are part of a 270-vehicle aid convoy destined for eastern Ukraine.

"We are concerned about the safety of our staff," Ukraine's foreign ministry acknowledged, adding "at this point no official from the Ukrainian government or the ICRC knows the contents of the trucks in question."

"We consider this act to be yet another flagrant violation by the Russian Federation of the key principles of international law, including the inviolability of borders, non-interference in the internal affairs of another state and the conscientious fulfillment of international obligations. We call on all of Ukraine's international partners to join in a strong condemnation of the illegal and aggressive acts of the Russian Federation."

"Ukraine will inform the Red Cross" and will not, for the time being, use military force against the Russian convoy, SBU chief Nalyvaichenko said.