Turchynov happy with National Guard, wants to reshuffle police in east Ukraine

Verkhovna Rada Speaker, interim President Oleksandr Turchynov said the military operation in southeastern Ukraine would continue.

The National Guard will be the operation's backbone, he said.

"As of now, the National Guard is the core of the anti-terrorist operation. The National Guard has established itself," Turchynov told Channel 5 on Sunday night.

He also mentioned the formation of special battalions of the Interior Ministry. "The real issue is that we cannot assign people who have not been trained to handle guns on a mission, this is not safe. We have to prepare them, train them before we arm them," Turchynov said.

In his words, seven special battalions have already been launched.

"I believe the police will be reinforced, primarily, with the patriots who have proven their ability to protect their country," the Verkhovna Rada speaker said while assessing the current status of the Ukrainian law enforcement authorities.

In his words, the police in eastern regions must be reshuffled.

"Some former Berkut [officers] not only fail to accomplish their missions but also refuse to work at all," he said.