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MOSCOW, April 21. /TASS/. The self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic has started preparations for a Victory Day parade due in Donetsk on May 9, DPR’s defense ministry spokesman said on Tuesday, while not ruling out possible provocations of Kiev.
"The DPR military units have launched preparations for the Victory Parade," Eduard Basurin was quoted by the Donetsk news agency as saying. "Today the first training of the armed forces personnel was held. In the end of this week, a joint training is scheduled that will involve military equipment," he said.
Basurin also said the self-proclaimed Donetsk republic will beef up security measures ahead of the May holiday as authorities fear provocations from the Ukrainian side.
"Ahead of the upcoming celebrations, the command of the DPR’s Armed Forces has taken additional measures on ensuring security to prevent possible provocations of the Ukrainian saboteurs," he said.
In particular, commandant and patrol services will be reinforced and checks at roadblocks and checkpoints will be tightened. Law enforcement agencies will also help to identify suspicious activity.