Thousands of Arab volunteers are preparing to rush to Ukraine to fight alongside the Russians, as Russian President Vladimir Putin said today that he wants to allow volunteers to fight against Ukrainian forces and approved the delivery of seized Western missile systems to Russian-backed fighters.

As Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said, there are about 16,000 ready volunteers in the Middle East. They come mainly from Syria, but also from Egypt and Iraq. The Syrians are grateful for being rescued by Russia in the civil war and for stopping ISIS.

At the same time, Sergei Shoigu proposed the delivery of US-made anti-tank systems, such as the Javelin and Stinger, to fighters from the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.

Speaking at a meeting of the Russian Security Council, Putin expressed his support for such an idea.

He also said that those who want to volunteer to fight with the Russian-speaking separatists should be allowed to come.

Volunteers wishing to help the people of Donbass can be facilitated to reach the region, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.

“If there are people who want to go there and help the people of Donbass as volunteers, especially for free, well, we should satisfy their wish and help them get to the combat zone,” Putin said at a meeting with the permanent members of the Russian Security Council.