France 24 debunks pro-Russian claims regarding deaths of two French soldiers in Ukraine

France 24 has refuted pro-Russian social media claims that Sergeant Bin Chen and Corporal Axel Delplanque were killed by a Russian attack in Odesa, Ukraine. The French Ministry of Armed Forces confirmed that the two servicemen died during combat engineer diving training in Angers, France, on 5 May 2026. The ministry stated that France has no troops deployed in Ukraine and noted that only Sergeant Chen was a member of the Foreign Legion, while Corporal Delplanque served with the 13th Battalion of Chasseurs Alpins. An investigation into the deaths is underway in Rennes.

Pro-Russian accounts, including 'Ghost Hawk', 'Strürmer', 'Dr.Pepper', and 'France Libre Média', have circulated claims that the soldiers "vanished" during an underwater mission in Odesa following a Russian strike. These accounts are described as recently created (April 2026) and exclusively share pro-Russian content. The French Ministry of Armed Forces issued an official statement announcing the deaths and confirming the ongoing investigation in Rennes.

General Pierre Schill, chief of staff of the French Army, and the 13th Battalion of Chasseurs Alpins paid tributes on social media. A formal tribute was held in their honour at the National Assembly on 5 May 2026. Since the start of 2026, five French service members have lost their lives in the line of duty, including Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio and Corporal Anicet Girardin in Lebanon in late April.

The incident involves disinformation campaigns linking French military deaths to the conflict in Ukraine. Sergeant Bin Chen was a member of the French Foreign Legion. Corporal Axel Delplanque had spent the majority of his career with the 13th Battalion of Chasseurs Alpins (Alpine Hunters). The deaths occurred during "combat engineer diving training" in Angers, western France. This is part of a broader trend of pro-Russian narratives attempting to attribute French military casualties to operations in Ukraine.

The public prosecutor's office in Rennes has opened an investigation into the circumstances of their deaths. The ministry also clarifies that only Sergeant Bin Chen was a member of the Foreign Legion, contradicting claims made on X. Corporal Axel Delplanque had spent the majority of his career with the 13th Battalion of Chasseurs Alpins (Alpine Hunters). When contacted by our team, the ministry of the armed forces confirmed the deaths and said that France "has no troops deployed in Ukraine".

The passing of the two servicemen was first announced publicly by the ministry, followed by tributes on social media from General Pierre Schill, chief of staff of the French Army, and the 13th Battalion of Chasseurs Alpins. A formal tribute was also held in their honour at the National Assembly on May 5. Since the start of 2026, five French service members have lost their lives in the line of duty. In late April, Staff Sergeant Florian Montorio and Corporal Anicet Girardin died during an operational mission in Lebanon. Their deaths were confirmed in official statements released by the ministry of the armed forces.

This article has been translated from the original in French.