russian intelligence spreads fake about “French PMCs” in Ukraine
russia’s foreign intelligence service (svr) has released another propaganda fake — this time claiming that France allegedly plans to involve private military companies in the “direct participation” in the war against russia.
▫️ The svr refers to a French government decree and falsely claims that it supposedly allows PMCs to take part in combat operations on Ukraine’s side. Propagandists allege that members of French PMCs are needed in Ukraine to work in mobile air-defense teams and with French-supplied weapons.
The goal of such statements is obvious: the kremlin is trying to shift responsibility for prolonging the war onto European countries, creating the illusion that they are the ones “pushing” Ukraine to continue fighting. The svr has issued similar fakes repeatedly. In reality, the only reason the war continues is russia’s aggression and the kremlin’s refusal to stop hostilities.
▫️ The svr is also attempting to reinforce a narrative convenient for the regime — that russia is not fighting Ukraine, but the “entire collective West.” This narrative helps explain the duration of the war and ongoing losses to the domestic audience, feeding the illusion that russia is resisting “overwhelming forces.”
