France Rejects Russia’s ‘Mercenary’ Claims, Doubles Down on Support for Ukraine

France to give Kyiv additional long-range missiles, along with bilateral ‘security guarantees.’

An apartment building damaged in a Russian rocket attack is seen in Kharkiv, Ukraine, in a handout photo on Jan. 17, 2024. The Canadian Press/AP-HO, Kharkiv Regional Administration, The Associated Press

Paris has rejected claims by Moscow that dozens of French “mercenaries” were killed in a recent Russian strike on a facility in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

“France helps Ukraine with supplies of military material and military training in full compliance with international law,” the French Foreign Ministry said in a Jan. 18 statement.