Separatists in Donbass violate agreement with knowledge of Russian officers - general Ben Hodges

Russian officers are present in the Donbass at all levels, and violation of the agreements by the "DNR/LNR" militants takes place with their permission. This was stated by former commander of the U.S. land forces in Europe, Lieutenant-General (retired) Ben Hodge in an interview with Apostrophe.

He noted that Ukraine, according to the OSCE reports, adheres to the ceasefire much better, so it has a moral advantage over Russia.

"And the so-called "Kremlin-supported separatists", who are in fact Russian officers of various ranks, do not respect the agreements, do not respect the OSCE. Before negotiating with Russia, it is necessary to achieve the fulfillment of agreements. Anyone who has at least some military experience or intelligence data will not believe that the separatists act independently. There are Russian officers there at all levels. And the separatists violate the agreements with the permission and knowledge of the Russian officers", - the general said.

As previously reported, commenting on the shelling of the occupiers in Donbass, which led to serious losses in the ranks of the defenders of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the actions of the terrorists testify to Russia's loss of control over them. "Spectacular violation of the Minsk agreements – the use of artillery – indicates, at least, the partial loss of control over the mercenaries. We hope that the Russian party will regain control of these divisions", – the president noted.

Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic integration Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze asked the head of state on her Facebook to explain his words that Russia should regain control over the "DNR/LNR" militants.