Russia-Ukraine war: In an exclusive interview with India Today, the head of the Donetsk region, Eduard Aleksandrovich Basurin, said that the West would target India after destroying Russia. Here are the excerpts.
As Russia now moves its forces to eastern Ukraine in an attempt to secure the Donbass region, Eduard Aleksandrovich Basurin, the official representative of the Donetsk region, which Russia recognizes as the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR ), speaks exclusively to India Today’s Geeta Mohan. He not only pointed to the possibility of lingering tensions along the Ukraine-Russia border, but also said the West wanted to destroy Russia and would not stop there. Then he would go to India.
Reporter: How is the situation on the ground? What part of Ukrainian territory is under the control of the Donetsk People’s Militia (DPR)?
Eduard Basurin: Almost 65% of our territory (Donetsk region) is controlled by us and 35% is under the control of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The main control is in the south of the republic (the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic, now recognized by Russia as an independent state), the northern and southern parts are under the control of Ukrainian militants.
Reporter: What challenges do you face at the strategic and tactical level? We see a lot of international support for Ukraine.
Eduard Basurin: The main problem is not that they are better cared for. The problem is that the Ukrainian army is not coming back (retreating). The best-equipped Ukrainian armed forces are here, in southern Donbass. There are about 1,00,000 soldiers, a full range of weapons, but no air force. The arms deliveries promised by Europe will go to Ukrainian territories such as kyiv, Kharkiv and Odessa. Weapons are not sent to us.
Reporter: Do you think Ukraine is concentrating its forces on the eastern front by withdrawing Russian forces from western parts of Ukraine such as Kyiv, Irpin and Bucha, among others?
Eduard Basurin: That’s not the point. Ukraine began stationing military forces here late last year. The total army of Ukraine has 2,42,000 soldiers. The (bet) here was 1,50,000. They were preparing their operation to attack our republic and this aggressive attack and this operation had (should) begin in March of this year. They brought a huge amount of weapons and equipment.
