You're reading: Volker says US has detailed info on structure, strength of regular Russian troops in Donbas

The United States has detailed information on the strength, organization and command of the regular units of the Russian Armed Forces in Donbas, U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations has said in an interview with the Echo of Moscow radio station.

When asked whether the United States has data on the presence of Russian troops in Donbas, Volker said that his country had thoroughly studied this issue. We have very good information on the commanders, the chain of command, types of troops, their financing, the number of regular Russian army servicemen, the number of specialized units, and the majority of the forces are contract soldiers, Volker said.

The diplomat added that the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk regions that are not controlled by the Ukrainian authorities are directed by the Russian command through a chain of command, including regular troops and regular officers, but most of the forces are contractors paid by Russia.

Volker also noted that some people in illegal armed groups in Donbas are Ukrainian citizens hired on a contractual basis. According to him, some of them are Russian citizens, and some are from Serbia or Belarus.