Donetsk, Jan 27 - DAN. Possible military assistance to Donbass from Russia will be important amid the supplies of foreign weapons to Ukraine, Donetsk People’s Republic People’s Militia deputy commander Eduard Basurin told the Donetsk News Agency on Thursday.

“Amid the mass supplies of weapons to Ukraine by western countries, we welcome the statement by Federation Council First Deputy Speaker, United Russia Party General Council Secretary Andrey Turchak,” Basurin said. “It shows that Russia would never leave its fellow countrymen in trouble and will always support them.”

The People’s Militia is ready to face Kiev’s armed aggression,” Basurin said.

On Wednesday, Turchak said that Russia had to supply certain kinds of weapons to the DPR and the LPR to enhance the Republics’ defense capability and contain the military aggression which Kiev is obviously preparing. Leader of the United Russia faction at the State Duma lower house of the Russian parliament Vladimir Vasilyev stated that the Party had appealed to the country’s leadership over the issue. Turchak’s proposal was supported by Russian communities and political forces.

DPR Head Denis Pushilin noted that the Republic would welcome any decision by Russia on providing assistance to the Donbass Republics.

Tensions in Donbass have been mounting after the New Year and Christmas holidays. Later on, the DPR People’s Militia said that Ukraine was preparing for a new offensive. Ukrainian troops in the conflict zone were reportedly reinforced with radicals, multiple launch rocket systems and NATO weapons. Active drills of Ukraine’s chemical warfare troops have been reported as well. *jk