Ukraine's new national guard could comprise 50,000, former defense minister projects

Parliamentary member and former Defense Minister Oleksandr Kuzmuk estimates Ukraine's new national guard could comprise between 45,000 and 50,000 troops.

Earlier Tuesday, acting Ukrainian President and parliamentary chairman Oleksandr Turchynov announced in parliament that a new national guard would be formed and mobilized -- along with Ukraine's armed forces -- "to protect the country against all citizens, external and internal aggression."

Kuzmuk expounded on the president's plan, telling reporters, "The actual amount of the personnel in the National Guard of Ukraine might amount to 45,000 - 50,000 people."

According to the former defense minister, "My vision is that the foundation [of the guard] should be reserve officers and the military basis of the Interior troops, who are the most battle-worthy."

[Interfax Ukraine News Agency]