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About 60% of enemy fighters in Donbas are former or current servicemen of the Russian Federation

Translated by: A. N.

The total number of enemy forces on the territory of Ukraine is about 42 thousand. 

Victor Yagun, the Deputy Chairman of the Security Service of Ukraine (Image: RBC-Ukraine)
Victor Yagun, the Deputy Chairman of the Security Service of Ukraine (Image: RBC-Ukraine)

About 60% of members of the illegal military groups are former or current servicemen of the Russian Federation. This was stated during a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Inter-Parliamentary Council by the deputy chairman of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Viktor Yagun, as reported by the correspondent of RBC-Ukraine.

Yagun also informed that the total number of enemy forces on the territory of Ukraine is about 42 thousand.

The grave of a Russian special operations soldier killed fighting in Ukraine (Image: RBC-Ukraine)
The grave of a Russian special operations soldier killed fighting in Ukraine (Image: RBC-Ukraine)

“Of these, the grouping of the Armed Forces, which is in the east of Ukraine may be composed of up to 15 battalion tactical groups and 5 company tactical groups, specifically artillery groups, reconnaissance groups, missile and special purpose units totaling up to 8.5 thousand troops.“- said Yagun.

According to the SBU, these units of the Russian Federation military are armed with four “Tochka-U” tactical missile systems, 190 tanks, 590 armored personnel carriers, eight TOS-1 “Buratino” multiple rocket launcher and thermobaric weapon systems, 149 artillery systems, 89 multiple rocket launchers, and 68 air defense systems.

A Russian TOS-1 "Buratino" system destroyed by the Ukrainian troops during the defense of the Donetsk airport in February 2015. (Image: Ukraine MoD)
A Russian TOS-1 “Buratino” system destroyed by the Ukrainian troops during the defense of the Donetsk airport in February 2015. (Image: Ukraine MoD)

The groupings of illegal armed groups in the east of the occupied territory of Ukraine can count up to 33.5 thousand of personnel,” – said Yagun and that they are armed with 350 tanks, 910 armored vehicles, 370 artillery systems, 200 multiple rocket launchers and about 60 air defense weapons.

“About 60% of members of the illegal paramilitary groups are former or current servicemen of the Russian Federation, who have previously received special training and re-training in bases on the territory of the Russian Federation,” – he added.

Russian Federation servicemen from Chechnia arriving in Donbas in 2014 (Image: AFP)
Russian Federation servicemen from Chechnia arriving in Donbas in 2014 (Image: AFP)

Yagun also noted that virtually all of the leadership of these illegal militias are serving Russian military personnel who conceal their origin, their military titles, and their belonging to the Russian Federation.

Translated by: A. N.
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