DISINFO: The US announced that France has sent the 3rd French infantry regiment to Ukraine
SUMMARY
The United States announced the sending of French soldiers to Ukraine. France sent soldiers from its Foreign Legion to Ukraine. This was stated by former US Deputy Secretary of Defense Steven Bryan.
The 3rd French Infantry Regiment, one of the main units of the Foreign Legion, was deployed in support of the 54 separate mechanized brigade of the Ukrainian forces in Slovyansk.
The first group of French soldiers has already been sent into active combat with Russian units in the Donbass region. It has been announced that among them up to 7 French soldiers were killed in action in Chasiv Yar on 5 May.
RESPONSE
Pro-Kremlin disinformation claim directed against the French military and French president Emmanuel Macron.
The 3rd Infantry Regiment does not exist, while 3rd Legion Infantry regiment is currently in South America. Even Russian military expert, Mikhaïl Onufrienko, explained this on 16 April 2024 in the full text of his interview after a similar narrative was being shared. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs denied this story and denounced the disinformation campaign:
Disinformation campaigns on France's support for Ukraine are not weakening.
Read more about pro-Kremlin disinformation targeting France here. See also related cases: France military units in Sloviansk were heavily injured, or France asked Russia not to touch the French military in Ukraine, or France is massively recruiting soldiers online or Russian missile strike on the headquarters of French militants in Ukraine killed more than 60 highly qualified specialists, or Foreign soldiers fight in Ukraine guised a mercenaries.