CLAIM: France sent troops to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.
AP’S ASSESSMENT: False. The French Foreign Ministry said in a statement on X that France has not deployed troops to Ukraine, calling the claim “disinformation.” Reports of the deployment cited a May 3 blog post by Stephen Bryen, a deputy undersecretary for the Department of Defense during the Reagan administration.
THE FACTS: Social media users are pointing to the blog post as proof that French troops have been sent to fight Russia alongside Ukraine as the war continues in its third year.
“France has sent its first troops officially to Ukraine,” the blog post reads. “They have been deployed in support of the Ukrainian 54th Independent Mechanized Brigade in Slavyansk. The French soldiers are drawn from France’s 3rd Infantry Regiment, which is one of the main elements of France’s Foreign Legion (Légion étrangère).”
Beijing 2022 Mascots: Made in China, Made of 'China'
2022 Beijing Media Center Opens
Bank Holiday washout! Met Office issues nine
China to Boost Green Shift in Cities and Villages: Ministry
Folk Artists Put on Performance to Celebrate Upcoming Spring Festival in SW China's Sichuan
Xinjiang Issues Development Plan for Women, Children
Russia defends veto of UN resolution to prohibit nukes in outer space
Feature: Beijing Normal University Pioneers Integrating Sports, Education
Biden speaks with Netanyahu as Israelis appear closer to major Rafah offensive
Beijing 2022 Mascots: Made in China, Made of 'China'