Russia says French trainers would be 'legitimate target'

Any French military instructors in Ukraine would be a “legitimate target” for Russian armed forces, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday during a tour of Africa, where frustration with the West has swayed several countries toward Moscow.

- LOUIS PATRICK OKAMBA

A minesweeper smokes during a break in a field outside the village of Snigurivka in Ukraine's Mykolaiv region.

Lavrov made the remarks at joint news conference with the Republic of Congo’s Foreign Minister Jean Claude Gakosso.

“As for the French instructors, I think they are already on the Ukrainian territory,” Lavrov said, referring to the military instructors that France could send to train Ukrainian troops. “Regardless of their status, military officials or mercenaries represent a legitimate target for our armed forces.”