ANTI-KIEV fighters intercepted and killed a dozen fascist Right Sector thugs and took an unknown number captive today as the rightwingers headed for the rebel-held city of Donetsk.

The separatists opened fire on the fascists’ bus, which was taking them to fight just outside Donetsk at the nearby village of Mandrykino, admitted a spokesman for Right Sector.

“They were taking part in a military operation early this morning near Donetsk and were ambushed. Twelve Right Sector fighters were killed,” claimed spokesman Artem Skoropadsky.

“We have suffered terrible losses. We will avenge this,” Right Sector leader Dmytro Yarosh threatened.

The group played a leading role in Kiev street violence that toppled President Viktor Yanukovych in February.

Meanwhile, a two-mile convoy of 262 Russian lorries was moving towards the Ukrainian border carrying 2,000 tons of humanitarian supplies, including medical equipment, baby food and sleeping bags.

Kiev slammed conditions on the aid mission to Lugansk.

The Ukrainian government insisted that it should pass through a border post controlled by Ukrainian government guards and should be accompanied by Red Cross representatives.

It said Ukraine would not allow access to a convoy accompanied by the Russian military or Emergencies Ministry.

The convoy of humanitarian aid has terrified the Kiev government, which fears that it is somehow a ploy to bolster rebels.

The United States backed Kiev’s demand for border checks.

“Russia has no right to move into Ukraine unilaterally, under the guise of humanitarian convoys or any other pretext,” blustered State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf.

And Nato spokeswoman Oana Lungescu said it was following the situation closely.

“Without the formal, express consent and authorisation of the Ukrainian government, any humanitarian intervention would be unacceptable and illegal,” she said.

However Moscow was adamant the convoy would reach its destination, calling for “maximum co-operation” from Ukraine to ensure the aid was delivered to struggling Lugansk, where thousands are without water, power, food or medical supplies.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the idea of using the aid convoy as an excuse for military action as “absurd” and said the mission was purely humanitarian.