Poroshenko's statements on beefing up troops in Donbas foment tensions - self-proclaimed Donetsk republic speaker
MOSCOW. June 27 (Interfax) - The real number of Ukrainian servicemen in Donbas is significantly larger than the figure announced by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Friday, says Andriy Purhin, the head of the people's council of the self-proclaimed Donetsk people's republic (DPR).
"Poroshenko talks about 60,000 servicemen, but this number doesn't include support battalions. Their real strength is about 80,000 people," the Donetsk news agency quoted Purhin as saying.
Poroshenko's statements on beefing up the government forces in Donbas foment tensions in the country, Purhin said. "Such statements foment tension in the domestic situation. This is a game intended for the home audience. It helps support the government forces' morale and includes a mobilizing component," Purhin said.
Poroshenko said earlier on the Inter TV channel that the number of Ukrainian servicemen in Donbas had been increased to 60,000 people.
