France on Thursday denied Moscow's claim that Russian forces had bombarded French "mercenaries" in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, saying it does not employ guns-for-hire.

France on Thursday denied Moscow’s claim that Russian forces had bombarded French “mercenaries” in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, saying it does not employ guns-for-hire.

  • MarcoPOLO@sh.itjust.worksOP
    114·
    6 months ago

    This reeks of France saying they’re not “French” mercenaries: they’re mercenaries that happen to be of French nationality.

    I don’t think many people are claiming that the French government is paying mercenaries to fight in Ukraine, but that the Ukrainian government may be paying French mercenaries to fight in Ukraine.

    • davel [he/him]@lemmy.mlEnglish
      71·
      6 months ago

      France has furnished Ukraine with billions, so in a roundabout way they are paying French mercenaries.

  • SeaJ
    81·
    6 months ago

    Russia has been using mercenaries for years. Not sure why anyone should care that others might be.