SAMARA, March 03, /ITAR-TASS/. Well-known Film Director Emir Kusturica told Itar-Tass on Monday that Russia should protect ethnic Russians residing in Ukraine and save the country from a disaster.

“Unfortunately, Ukraine is following the Yugoslav scenario, and I regret it. I see the same kind of catastrophe. I think that Russia should protect ethnic Russians residing in Ukraine,” Kusturica said.

Kusturica and his “The No Smoking Orchestra” gave a guest performance in Samara, the Volga region, on Monday. The musicians devoted one of their songs to Russians residing in Ukraine.

The group is planning to go on a guest tour to Ukraine to support its Russian-speaking population.