"France Denies Russian Allegations of Mercenaries in Ukraine as Moscow Summons French Ambassador"

France refuted Russia's claim of targeting French "mercenaries" in a strike on Kharkiv, Ukraine, stating it does not employ mercenaries and calling the claim a "clumsy Russian manipulation." Russia's defense ministry alleged killing foreign militants, including French mercenaries, in the attack, but provided no evidence. The strikes wounded 17 civilians and damaged residential and medical facilities in Kharkiv, which has been under persistent shelling since Russia's large-scale hostilities began in February 2022.