Sunday16 February 2025
lifeukr.net

France conducted secret drills to repel potential military attacks from Belarus, according to media reports.

Some participants in the training expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of FPV drones and France's lag in this area.
Франция провела секретные учения по отражению атакующих войск в случае нападения со стороны Беларуси, сообщает пресса.

Last autumn, French special forces were preparing for a scenario to repel an attack in case new enemy troops were deployed to Ukraine.

Source. This was reported by Intelligence Online.

The French army spent several weeks at a training ground, the details of which are kept strictly confidential.

The publication clarifies that the training was named "Perseus" and was based on an analysis of the Ukrainian experience that helped to deter the Russian invasion in February 2022.

3200 French soldiers trained in an area resembling the meanders of the Dnipro River north of Kyiv.

The command focused on practicing the use of drones, electronic warfare, and intelligence, as well as ensuring the coordination of units under high-intensity combat conditions.

However, some participants in the exercises expressed dissatisfaction with the absence of FPV drones and voiced concerns about the lag of French manufacturers in developing such models, the publication writes.

On January 13, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that he discussed with French President Emmanuel Macron the idea of deploying Western troops in the country as part of security guarantees. "We considered practical steps for its implementation, possible expansion, and the involvement of other countries in this process," he clarified.

Macron and officials from his government have repeatedly hinted at the possibility of deploying a military contingent in Ukraine to perform various functions. The president also suggested sending French soldiers if Russia breaks through the front, and Kyiv calls for help.

Military analysts speculated that French troops could replace Ukrainians at the country's borders with Belarus and Transnistria, allowing the relieved Armed Forces of Ukraine units to head to regions where active fighting is taking place.

Macron emphasized that the West should maintain a position of "strategic ambiguity" regarding Russia, which would allow "keeping all military options on the negotiation table."

His proposal received some support within NATO, especially on the eastern flank of the bloc, where countries bordering Russia generally call for a tougher strategy from allies in providing aid to Ukraine and deterring Moscow. However, the USA and Germany opposed it.

In December, Donald Trump suggested that European countries deploy their troops in Ukraine to monitor compliance with the ceasefire. He stressed that the American army would not participate in this mission, as he believes the main role should belong to Europe.

EU countries have already begun discussing the deployment of a contingent to Ukraine in the event of a cessation of hostilities.