Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that his country will bring in foreign fighters for its military operation in Ukraine.

Putin made the remark at a security council meeting in the Kremlin on Friday.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said there have been applications from many countries to volunteer to fight in eastern Ukraine. He particularly noted that there were more than 16,000 volunteers in the Middle East who were ready to come to fight.

Putin responded that the country should support those who want to help residents in eastern Ukraine so that they can go to the conflict zone.

He criticized the United States and European countries, saying that they are sending mercenaries gathered from across the world to Ukraine.

Putin also ordered that Western-made weapons captured from Ukrainian troops be handed over to pro-Russian forces in Ukraine. The weapons likely include Javelin anti-tank missiles provided by the US military and others.