The People's republics are clearly local initiatives and whatever support they receive from Russia is almost certainly from individuals and organisations, not from the government.
If it was true, it would be even worse. If such guys
Pictures & Photos of Robbie Coltrane - IMDb
could sell heavy weapons, then ...
Hanna, Russia does not admit the weapons shipping , but it's just a wicked game. It's "common practice" in our days.