Donetsk, Jul 15 - DAN. Donbass Republics residents who obtained Russian passports come under fire of Ukrainian forces every day, Donetsk People’s Republic Head Denis Pushilin said at the forum “Russia-Donbass: Unity of Priorities” on Thursday.

More than half a million Russian citizens live in the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics,” Pushilin said. “Many of them are residents of frontline areas. The Ukrainian army shoots at Russian citizens daily demolishing their homes and the schools where their children go. I underline that the Ukrainian army aims at Russian citizens.”

In Gorlovka, one of the hotspots in the Republic, more than 1,500 residents have Russian passports, he added.

“These people have not abandoned their land, bearing unflinchingly all the hardships of the war and risking their lives. They are protected by militiamen who return fire to supress the enemy. They perform their sacred and civil duty by defending Donbass, and, consequently, Russia,” Pushilin said.*jk