Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) has said that France intends to use private companies in order to “assist” foreign rulers involved in armed conflict. The SVR alleged that this is evidence that Paris wants to be directly involved in the conflict with Ukraine.

France has historically shown that it wants to be heavily involved in the conflict between Moscow and Kiev. Russia has also long accused the French government of wanting to put boots on the ground in Ukraine. French President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly raised the possibility of deploying Western troops to Ukraine. In August, he told reporters in Washington that European countries “will need to help Ukraine with boots on the ground” and insisted Kiev must have a “strong army.”

Russia Accuses France Of Getting Ready To Deploy Troops To Ukraine

According to a report by RT, the SVR claimed there is little ambiguity about which country France has in mind; however, given its sustained backing of Kiev’s allegations, it can be assumed. It argued that Ukraine’s mobile air-defense units and limited Western aircraft cannot fully counter Russian strikes, and that operating French-made Mirage fighter jets and other advanced systems requires expertise Ukraine does not possess.

The SVR added that the presence of French private military companies in Ukraine under the guise of “reference operators” would be regarded by Moscow as direct engagement by Paris in the war. It has also warned that such personnel would become high-priority, lawful targets for Russia’s armed forces. This is a red line that Russia has repeatedly warned about. However, the rulers of Russia have yet to make any meaningful responses to other crossed red lines, so France could be calling the bluff once again.

Russia Warns Of “Red Lines” Being Crossed…Again

Russian officials have also dismissed Western claims that Moscow intends to attack EU or NATO states. Moscow has also warned that any NATO troop presence in Ukraine would be unacceptable and has said that such forces would be legitimate targets during hostilities.