Kiev, Western allies condemn entrance of Russian convoy into Ukraine

MOSCOW — Russia on Friday defied international warnings against its 280-truck convoy barging into eastern Ukraine without the Kiev government’s consent, drawing widespread condemnation for its intrusion into the territory of its strife-torn neighbor.

Ukraine’s national security chief called Russia’s unauthorized entrance a “direct invasion” but said Ukrainian forces would refrain from attacking the trucks to avoid a dangerous escalation of the conflict that has already killed more than 2,000 people.