About 100 French mercenaries are now fighting on Kiev's orders, French radio station RTL reports. This is quite a number, considering that 800 people volunteered to go to Ukraine at the beginning of the conflict.
Most of these fighters are experienced, as the Ukrainian Army is primarily looking for men who have already received military training and know how to use a weapon. Their political beliefs are often close to the far right, and some proudly claim to be neo-Nazis, senior reporter Emilie Baujard told RTL.
"According to the intelligence services, more than a third of the fighters are close to the extreme right. Some are clearly neo-Nazis and claim to be. Some are on the French services' radar or have fled convictions in France [...] Some of the Frenchmen are integrated into battalions known to be close to the extreme right, such as the Misanthropic Division," she explained.
The Misanthropic Division, previously known as Division Phoenix, is identified as an international neo-Nazi group with its headquarters in Ukraine. It has been characterized both as a paramilitary organization and as a movement.
Accepted foreigners are first integrated into the International Legion of Ukraine’s military before signing a contract with the Ukrainian Army. They are paid about 500 euros (around $550) a month, and up to 3,000 euros ($3,290) if they are sent to the front.
Arrests in France
Some of these mercenaries have already caused problems for the authorities upon their return to France. At the end of April, two Frenchmen were arrested on their return from Ukraine for possession of war material.
They were found in possession of assault rifle magazines and rifle scopes. Once again, these individuals were associated with extreme right-wing movements.
In March 2022, another Frenchman, well known in far-right circles, was arrested at the Ukrainian border in possession of knives and bulletproof vests. He was suspected of the murder of famous Argentine rugby player Federico Martin Aramburu, who was killed in Paris that month. While on the run, he later told the police that he wanted to fight in Ukraine.