Avakov: Ukraine on verge of full-scale invasion by Russian troops

About 7,000 Russian troops are in parts of Luhansk and Donetsk regions controlled by illegal armed groups and there is a probability they will attack Ukraine.

Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has said.

"An abstract forecast is the following: we are on the verge of the next stage of a full-scale invasion. Groups of Russian troops have been deployed in Donetsk and Luhansk regions in recent weeks. There are about 7,000 of them. Our diplomats publicly state this," Avakov said in an interview with the INSIDER online newspaper when asked about the possibility of a Russian invasion or the conflict entering a new stage.

"Will there be an invasion? This is one of the questions as to when a mentally ill person will have another attack. Maybe yes, and maybe not. It all depends on our readiness and consolidation," he said.

He noted that Ukraine was not prepared for a full-scale war with the Russian army, but nobody would give away Ukrainian territory without a fight.