Ukraine crisis: Russian 'aid' convoy heads straight for rebels in Luhansk as fears intensify of 'direct invasion'

An Ukrainian border guard checks passing cars at a checkpoint of Pletnyovka, Kharkiv region on Ukraine-Russia border, where Russian humanitarian convoy is to cross the border

A convoy of almost 300 Russian trucks has departed for eastern Ukraine, state media reported, despite warnings from the West that an unauthorised intervention would “violate international law”.

It sets Ukraine and Russia up for a direct confrontation at the border, after officials in Kiev declared that the convoy will be blocked from entering the country.