(ANSA) - Rome, August 22 - Italy on Friday said the fact that a Russian truck convoy entered Ukraine without permission is "extremely grave".

"This was a unilateral action" taken before all the trucks could be inspected as per an agreement between the International Committee of the Red Cross, Ukraine, and Russia, the Italian foreign ministry said in a note. The controversial convoy including about 70 trucks bearing humanitarian aid crossed the border into Ukraine earlier on Friday, according to Russian news agency Itar-Tass. The trucks are part of a larger convoy of about 280 vehicles carrying aid destined for the civilian Russian population in eastern Ukraine, according to the government in Moscow. Russia's ministry of foreign affairs said it was "unbearable" to wait any longer before moving the aid that Ukraine officials have rejected, saying they fear weapons and supplies for pro-Russian rebels are likely hidden within the convoy. Critics have complained the convoys are moving without an escort from the International Committee for the Red Cross, as required under a deal between Moscow and Ukraine.

The humanitarian emergency in eastern Ukraine, where the government is battling pro-Russia separatists, must be dealt with "following the principles of international human rights law," the Italian foreign ministry said.

