Birdwatch Note Rating
2024-01-23 21:23:42 UTC - HELPFUL
Rated by Participant: 4FA3ADD666CDFDCBF4FF13B10EE22FD505701A7FF3BE3A8EDDF29F3474E74398
Participant Details
Original Note:
There are no French mercenaries in Ukraine. https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20240118-paris-dismisses-russian-claim-of-french-mercenaries-in-ukraine https://www.leparisien.fr/international/mercenaires-francais-en-ukraine-paris-denonce-une-nouvelle-manipulation-grossiere-russe-23-01-2024-BJRNYM7ENZGBNNQ2GDR6JSVK5E.php There are however French nationals fighting as volunteer "freedom fighters", but they cannot be considered mercenaries as they are integrated in the regular Ukrainian army and receive the same salary. https://www.rusi.org/explore-our-research/publications/commentary/why-foreign-volunteers-enlist-ukrainian-international-legion
All Note Details