Part of these Ukrainian foreign legion members were in leave, after having asked to find loved ones fleeing the war.
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About fifteen legionnaires were intercepted by police officers from the police prefecture, Tuesday 1 March, in Paris, while they were preparing to take a bus to leave In Ukraine, learned Le Monde Wednesday, March 2, of source close to the file. As engaged in the French army, therefore under contract, these men can be considered deserters, despite the circumstances of the war in Ukraine. Part of these legionaries were, however, according to the first elements of the investigation, in permission – therefore potentially free of their movements.
It was several days that significant vigilance was brought by the armies about the 700 legionnaires of Ukrainian nationality that are now engaged in the French foreign legion. At a time in terms of desertion risk, but also attention for their personal and family situation, many de facto relatives in Ukraine.
For several days also, those who closely follow the Ukrainian diaspora knew that a number of Ukrainian former legionnaires passed by the ranks of the French army did no longer hide their intention to organize or even form militarily Some of their compatriots wishing to go fight. With regard to these former legionaries, the military hierarchy has no grip on them – they are free to mobilize.
Finding loved ones fleeing the war
Among the fifteen legionnaires intercepted Tuesday night, as part of an identity checkboard on two cars for Ukraine, a dozen thus had “exceptional permission” to reach a country bordering the Ukraine (excluding Belarus and Russia) to find loved ones fleeing the war, according to General Alain Ladet, who commands the foreign legion. These men reportedly informed their hierarchy of the difficulties of their loved ones and wish them to help them. Some 25 permissions of this type have been granted in total since the beginning of the war on February 24th. “Of course, this authorization is based on the respect of the given word,” the General Lardet points.
For five other legionnaires intercepted Tuesday night, the motivations are more fuzzy at this point. They are currently heard, like the others, at Fort de Nogent (Val-de-Marne), where the foreign legion has an implantation. If he turned out that they went to Ukraine to fight, they “will be sanctioned,” says General Ladet. Days of stops could be pronounced. “If it is proven, they will have failed to the code of honor of the Legion. When you are engaged under the French flag, it is not possible to choose his fight or cause”, still reminds General Lardet.
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