RUSSIAN MPs have called on the government to ship arms to the Donbass to help regional separatists confront a Ukrainian army boosted by Western weaponry, saying they face a threat on a par with that of World War II Nazi collaborator Stepan Bandera.

The parliamentary leader of the ruling United Russia party Vladimir Vasilyev made the request in a statement on Wednesday saying such a response is necessary as the US floods Ukraine with weapons.

“We understand that they are pumping up Ukraine with missile systems, grenade launchers, and other supplies,” he said.