The mysterious prank comes as Moscow warns the West against expanding support for Ukrainian forces.
Russia has vehemently denied any role in a stunt that saw several coffins appear at the Eiffel Tower in Paris. In a statement on Tuesday, Russia’s embassy in France expressed “strong protest against a new Russophobic campaign launched in the French media” that it said is affecting the security of its citizens. The complaint came amid a string of denials by Moscow that it was seeking to influence public opinion as the West mulls raising support for Ukraine in its fight against Russia’s invasion.
French military trainers would be ‘legitimate target’ in Ukraine: Lavrov
Ukraine has said paperwork has been signed that would allow French instructors to train Kyiv’s soldiers.
Ukraine has said paperwork has been signed that would allow French instructors to train Kyiv’s soldiers.
“As for the French instructors, I think they are already on the Ukrainian territory,” Lavrov said. “Regardless of their status, military officials or mercenaries represent a legitimate target for our armed forces.”
Ukraine’s top commander said last week he had signed paperwork that would soon allow French military instructors to access Ukrainian training centers.
Afterwards, French President Emmanuel Macron said he would not comment on “rumors or decisions that could be made” and that he would elaborate on France’s support during events later this week to mark the 80th anniversary of D-Day where he will be joined by leaders including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Macron’s office on Tuesday said it would not comment on Lavrov’s remarks. There is no evidence that French instructors are in Ukraine
CHILLING photos show five coffins placed at the foot of the Eiffel Tower in a disturbing stunt allegedly carried out by Russian agents.
The three suspects are accused of dropping the coffins wrapped with a French flag that included a message that read "French soldiers of Ukraine."
7
Three men were seen dropping off five coffins at the foot of the Eifel TowerCredit: X
7
The coffins were covered with a French flag and had the words French soldiers of Ukraine
7
The three men said they were paid £340 to carry out the bizarre stuntCredit: X
Three men were seen arriving in a van at about 9am on Saturday and the coffins were found shortly afterwards.
The Bulgarian, German and Ukrainian nationals claimed they were paid £340 (€400) for the bizarre stunt, officials at the Paris prosecutor's office said.
The trio includes the driver of the vehicle that transported the coffins, a 39-year-old Bulgarian, as well as two people associated with him a 25-year-old German man and a 16-year-old Ukrainian, who was arrested aboard a Paris-Berlin bound Flixbus.
Prosecutors described the stunt as an "act of psychological violence." They were released from custody on Monday pending an investigation.
The public prosecutors have requested that the three men be charged with premeditated violence.
France is on its highest alert level ahead of the Summer Games in Paris and the lavish open-air ceremony on the River Seine. Last week French authorities arrested an 18-year-old accused of planning an attack during this summer's Olympic Games.
#englishnewsNews Article :-
Russia was behind a stunt that saw five coffins draped in a French flag placed by the Eiffel Tower, according to French intelligence officials.
The coffins were placed there with the inscription "French soldiers in Ukraine" – serving as an apparent warning against NATO troops being deployed in the country.
Three men were seen in a van at around 9am on Saturday before leaving the coffins by the iconic monument.
Police apprehended the driver who told them he had been paid €40 (£34) by the two other men to take the coffins.
The two other men were found at Bercy coach station in central Paris where they were attempting to get a coach to Berlin, Germany.
They told the police they had been paid €400 (£340) to deliver the coffins. Police said the driver was Bulgarian while the the two men at the coach station were Ukrainian and German.
The men now face an investigation for “violence with premeditation" while police confirmed that they are looking into whether the stunt was "organized from abroad."
Russian operatives have reportedly been involved in two recent incidents.
In October, after Hamas's attack in Israel where 1,200 people were killed, Stars of David with a likeness to the Israeli flag were stenciled on walls in Paris.
A Moldovan couple believed to be paid by Russian intelligence were arrested for this event.
In May, red hands were painted on a Holocaust memorial in Paris. Police said the suspects likely fled abroad.
The coffin stunt comes after French President Emmanuel Macron refused to rule out NATO troops being sent to Ukraine.
Last week, Macron also led calls to back Ukraine striking military bases inside Russia with long-range weapons provided by Western partners.
Macron said that France’s position is that “we think we must allow (Ukraine) to neutralize the (Russian) military sites from which the missiles are fired.”
He added: “If we tell (the Ukrainians) you do not have the right to reach the point from which the missiles are fired, we are in fact telling them that we are delivering weapons to you, but you cannot defend yourself."
.jpg)
.jfif)
No comments:
Post a Comment