Ukraine's Parliament voted unanimously on Thursday to create a new National Guard of 60,000 volunteers, which, according to RIA Novosti, would incorporate protesters who took part in violent rallies in Kiev that led to the ousting of former president Viktor Yanukovych.

The news agency said the move followed snap inspections of the nation's armed forces last week. In a report to the country's acting president Oleksandr Turchynov, Ukraine's acting defense minister Ihor Tenyukh said its combat readiness was "unsatisfactory".

Ukraine's defense chief said that only 6,000 personnel of 41,000-strong armed forces "are prepared to perform combat tasks", RIA Novosti reported.

It added that Tenyukh said the Ukrainian military's recent exercises demonstrated a "dismal degree of preparedness among servicemen and lack of military specialists, equipment and weapons".

Russia's Defense Ministry said on Thursday that about 8,500 Russian troops are engaged in military exercises involving artillery and multiple rocket launchers near the border with Ukraine.

About the broadcaster:

Lance Crayon is a videographer and editor with China Daily. Since living in Beijing he has worked for China Radio International (CRI) and Global Times. Before moving to China he worked in the film industry in Los Angeles as a talent agent and producer. He has a B.A. in English from the University of Texas at Arlington.

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