Vyacheslav Volodin, the Speaker of the Russian State Duma (parliament), has announced the intention of the parliament to formally inquire with the French National Assembly about whether it is aware of the presence of French mercenaries fighting alongside Ukraine.
Volodin made these statements after the Russian Ministry of Defense declared on Wednesday that its forces had killed over 60 foreign mercenaries, mostly French, in a strike on a building in Kharkiv. However, the Ministry did not provide evidence to substantiate this confirmation.
France has rejected these claims, stating that it is assisting Ukraine in defending its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity, but it does not have mercenaries there “unlike others.”
Vyacheslav Volodin, on Telegram, emphasized that “mercenary activities are prohibited in France under the law.” He added, “It is important for us to know whether (French legislators) are aware that someone is violating the law, sending fighters to Ukraine.”
The State Duma will discuss the issue of inquiring with the French Parliament at its upcoming meeting scheduled for January 23.
On Thursday, Russia also announced that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has summoned the French ambassador in response to the allegations of the presence of mercenaries.