Russia "France Preparing to Deploy 2,000 Troops to Ukraine... Will Be Primary Target"

[Image source=TASS Yonhap News]

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Sergey Naryshkin, head of Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), claimed that France is preparing to deploy troops numbering around 2,000 to Ukraine, drawing attention to the possibility that the ongoing Ukraine war could escalate into a full-scale conflict between the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Russia.

According to Russia's TASS news agency on the 19th (local time), Naryshkin stated, "According to the information received, the deployment unit to be sent to Ukraine is already being prepared, and the initial troop size will be about 2,000." He added, "The French military is concerned that it will be difficult to discreetly mobilize such a large unit and move it to Ukraine."

He further warned strongly, "If the French military were to be stationed in Ukraine, they would become a legitimate primary target for the Russian military," and "This is the fate that all French people entering the Russian world will face."

The French government dismissed Russia's claims as fake news provocations, but the debate over troop deployment has not easily subsided since French President Emmanuel Macron hinted at the possibility of sending troops. On the 26th of last month, President Macron, while hosting an international conference on support for Ukraine in Paris, stated, "The possibility of deploying ground forces cannot be ruled out. We will take all necessary measures to prevent Russia from winning," sparking controversy.

Military tensions are rising as the French military leadership also hinted at the possibility of deployment. General Pierre Schill, Chief of Staff of the French Army, issued a statement following Naryshkin's warning, saying, "The French military is ready and prepared for tough combat," emphasizing, "The French military can form a 20,000-strong allied division within 30 days and, in coalition with other allied countries, can assemble a force of 60,000 troops."

However, most NATO member countries oppose France's deployment plan, and Ukraine itself finds it difficult to allow the stationing of foreign troops, making the likelihood of a direct clash between NATO and Russian forces low. On the 11th, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an interview with French BFM TV, "As long as Ukraine holds out, French troops should remain on French territory," adding, "The situation has improved compared to three months ago, and fortification work is underway along more than 1,000 km of the frontline."

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