Moscow threatens to strike French instructors in Ukraine: Paris promises response

The spokesman for the Russian Embassy in France, Alexander Makogonov, said that French instructors who may be sent to Ukraine will allegedly be "legitimate targets" for the Russian occupiers. Paris said that such comments would not be left without consequences.

Makogonov made the statement on Tuesday, June 4, on BFMTV. "If you send your soldiers, your specialists, your instructors to Ukrainian soil so that they can teach Ukrainian soldiers to better target and kill Russians, they will certainly become a legitimate target," he said.

The very next day, the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacted to the diplomat's words.

"These are scandalous statements that will not remain without consequences," said Christophe Lemoine, deputy spokesman for the Foreign Ministry.

Paris is currently discussing what their response to Makogonov's statement might be. Lemoine was responding to a question about whether the Russian embassy spokesperson would be called "on the carpet" by the Foreign Ministry.

As a reminder, according to media reports, France may soon send military instructors to Ukraine, despite the fears of some allies and criticism from Russia. Paris may announce its decision during the visit of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the occasion of the anniversary of the Normandy landings.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the French military have been in Ukraine since the beginning of the Great War, said the former commander of the French Marine regiment, Per de Jong. According to him, French instructors accompanied Caesar howitzers at every stage before they arrived at the front in Ukraine.

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