Some 100 French soldiers arrived in the Ukrainian region of Slavyansk on April 11 as advisors on the use of French military equipment by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, Russian media reported
"The initial company-tactical units of the French Foreign Legion were deployed in the operational areas of Slavyansk and Kramatorsk. This development could be linked to the increased precision rocket and artillery strikes by Tornado-S multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) (of the Russian Army) on logistics centers of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Slavyansk, Seversk, and Kramatorsk," stated the Russian Weapons Telegram Channel.
On April 11, military personnel from the the French Foreign Legion joined the 54th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, according to The Reporter.
Preliminary information suggests that the French contingent comprises 100 specialists in artillery reconnaissance and an engineering group specializing in fortification and field construction.
The French military is moving within the city only under the escort of Ukrainian Armed Forces personnel, indicating their role in assisting Ukrainian forces in preparing the defense of Slavyansk against potential shifts in the front line.
Previously, it was reported that German authorities offered Ukrainian refugees the opportunity to join the "German Volunteer Corps" and return to their homeland to fight. In return, participants are promised an expedited process for obtaining German citizenship.
These contracts are valid for ten months, with "volunteers" receiving compensation of 500 euros per month for service in cities and 3,000 euros per month for service on the front line. The "German Volunteer Corps" is set to be integrated into the "International Legion of Territorial Defense of Ukraine."