Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to the idea of engaging volunteers in Ukraine, RIA Novosti reported.

According to him, the "Western sponsors" do not conceal the recruitment of mercenaries to take part in the conflict, and "they do this openly, ignoring all the norms of international law."

Also, the Russian president approved defense minister Sergey Shoygu’s proposal to transfer to Donbas the Western-made military equipment, tanks, and firearms that were taken hold of.