Anton Zverev

DONETSK (Ukraine) – An important separatist commander has urged Russia for 30,000 troops to support rebel forces in Donetsk, to use new weapon systems and provide reinforcement to the fighting force.

When Alexander Khodakovsky (a former leader of the Donetsk People’s Republic and now in charge of a military unit), asked for comment, the Kremlin didn’t immediately reply.

A deployment of 35,000 Russian soldiers in the West will increase tensions with Moscow, and could be a result of Russian troop builds-up near Ukraine.

Khodakovsky stated that he believed separatist forces could be defeated in the face of a large offensive by Ukrainian government troops in conflict which began in 2014. He also urged Russia for multiple rocket launcher systems to Grad and Uragan.

Russia’s ruling United Russia party supports President Vladimir Putin and has declared that Donetsk’s forces, as well as Luhansk the adjacent breakaway republic need more arms.

However, the Kremlin still hasn’t made a decision on military aid. It has also stayed mum about the need to recognise breakaway areas as it negotiates security guarantees for the West during the dispute over Ukraine.

Khodakovsky claimed that Donetsk separatists had 30.000 fighters but only 10,000 could be used for frontline duty.

Khodakovsky said in an interview that he wanted at least 40,000 but 40,000 automatic rifles to be on the frontline. This was in addition of the 10,000 soldiers already deemed capable to do frontline duties.

Although he welcomed the appeal from Andrey Turkchak, a top United Russia member to send weapons to the separatist territories, he stated that specialist would be required to manage such complex systems.

He said, “I’d like to see Russian military units capable of using this weaponry.”

Since 2014, when separatists took territory in eastern Ukraine, more than 700,000.000 Russian passports were issued to Ukrainian citizens. Russia’s parliament will discuss in detail how to appeal Putin to recognize the independent areas.

Moscow has made allegations against Kyiv that Ukraine might launch an attack on the regions. Kyiv also accused Russia of providing covert support to the separatists, which Moscow refutes.

Khodakovsky claimed that most rebel troops do not want to fight anymore and don’t want the conflict (in which more than 14,000 people were killed) to be settled militarily.

“They still have the awareness that they’re fighting against their people,” he stated.

According to him, Russia will increase morale of separatist forces as well as deter Ukraine through openly sending Russian units clearly identified to breakaway areas. It was only a matter time until Russia officially recognizes their independence.