Since February 2017 Russia has recognised identity documents, diplomas, birth- and marriage-certificates, and vehicle registration plates issued by the DPR, and has said that it will continue to do so until a "political settlement of the situation" in separatist-controlled regions, based on the Minsk II agreement, is reached. NATO, Ukrainian and Western military experts have claimed that regular Russian units have been aiding the DPR and LPR, which operate modern Russian tanks and artillery. Russia denies this, but has stated that Russian volunteers are helping the DPR and LPR.