France denies claims of mercenaries in Ukraine

By Esra Taskin

PARIS (AA) - France on Thursday rejected Moscow's statements regarding the presence of French mercenaries in Ukraine.

According to reports by local media, the Foreign Ministry rebuffed Russia's claims of French mercenaries in Ukraine, stating the country does not have any mercenaries in Ukraine.

The ministry, dismissing Russia's statements as "manipulation," emphasized that unlike some other nations, France does not have mercenaries in other countries.

The Russian Defense Ministary previously stated: "On the evening of January 16, the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation conducted a high-precision weapon attack on a temporary deployment point in the city of Kharkiv, mainly consisting of French mercenaries."

The statement noted that the building where the mercenaries were stationed was completely destroyed in the attack, "resulting in the death of more than 60 fighters, with over 20 others taken to medical facilities."