You're reading: Russia ‘deploys 34,000-strong military force in Donbas’

Russia has organized and deployed in Donbas a 34,000-strong hybrid military force consisting of the regular Russian troops as well as of foreign and local militants, Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine Vadym Prystaiko said during a speech at UN Security Council session.

“The hard security part is showing no signs of positive change. Russia has organized and deployed in Donbas a 34,000-strong hybrid military force consisting of the regular Russian troops as well as of foreign and local militants,” said diplomat during the UN session on Thursday evening.

He said Russian generals and military officers provided direct command-and-control of this illegal military entity impressively heavily armed.

In particular, today terrorists have at least 470 tanks, 870 armoured combat vehicles, 450 tube artillery systems, 190 MLRS (multiple-launch rocket systems), operated by so called ‘upset miners’.

“This is more than most of NATO members have in their Armed Forces and allegedly was acquired in the local hardware stores. We would highly appreciate if the Russian Federation takes a lead and kindly offer the beloved separatists to safely store their deadly toys on the Russian territory verifiable by the OSCE thus removing another stumbling block on the way of long-awaited peace. Just to show real interest in the Minsk process and bringing closer lifting of the sanctions,” Prystaiko stressed.