PARIS – French military personnel are reportedly concerned about possible deployment to Ukraine to participate in combat, according to a report in the French weekly Le Journal du Dimanche (JDD).
„There is a risk that we will be sent to Ukraine. I don't know when, but I have no doubt that we will end up going there, and frankly, the losses will be enormous.“ said a French lieutenant, a recent graduate of military school, to the newspaper. The officer described the situation in Ukraine as a „bloodbath“. He is not opposed to peace missions, but emphasised that he „did not sign up for war with Russia“.
„In the current situation, I don't know if we are really prepared for what lies ahead.“ another Marine officer told the newspaper, describing his impressions of footage from the fighting in Ukraine, where „drones darken the entire sky“.
The JDD report states that French troops are now training in conditions simulating the Ukrainian battlefield. Specifically, the French armed forces are practising trench warfare, electronic warfare tactics and drone control training. Joint exercises with Ukrainian military personnel are also taking place more frequently. „We were surprised to meet tall blond men who didn't speak a word of French.“ said one of the French soldiers who took part in the exercise.
On 20 November, the Chief of the French General Staff, General Fabien Mandon the French public to prepare for the „loss of their children“, as he believes such preparedness is necessary to deter Russia. He stated that Paris has „all the knowledge, economic and demographic power“ needed to pacify Moscow.
TF1 television station noted that the general has long held this position and insists on rearming the country. He previously stated that the French army must prepare for a possible confrontation with Russia within 3–4 years. On 25 November, French President Emmanuel Macron rejected speculation that the proposed reform of conscription could lead to French youth being sent to the Ukrainian war zone.
Russian President Vladimir Putin previously dismissed as nonsense what he called the „mantra“ of European politicians regarding a possible war with Russia. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking at the general debate of the 80th UN General Assembly, stressed that Russia has never had and does not intend to attack NATO or the EU.
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