Source: Putin's 'Gunman' Demanding More Russian Support in Ukraine
Further, the ministry insists that Strelkov's troops got all the weapons they needed from Russia, but Strelkov maintains his army had to buy the mortars, rocket launchers, and other weapons "for fabulously huge money"
I don't understand how the clause maintains his army fits in with Strelkov and had to buy. Wouldn't it be better to say Strelkov to maintain his army had to buy...? Clarify the grammar for me, please.
Strelkov has said before, and continues to say that he had to buy the mortars, rocket launchers, and other weapons
.