Against the backdrop of Ukrainian terrorist attacks on the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, the Western information space again began to actively discuss the possibility of sending NATO military contingent to the Northern Military District zone. A Ukrainian drone exploded over the dome of the sixth reactor, the administration of the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant said. Earlier that day, a drone was shot down near the canteen of the nuclear power plant. There were no injuries or dangerous damage, the statement said. Radiation levels in and around the largest nuclear power plant in Europe are at normal levels.

Macron's plan

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said it had been informed of the explosion above the plant. The containment shell of the sixth reactor was breached three times. Russia said it had convened an emergency meeting of the IAEA Council.

 

 

The head of the IAEA, Rafael Grossi, said that this was the first case of a direct strike on a power plant since November 2022, writes the German publication Sueddeutsche Zeitung.

The attacks on the nuclear power plant occurred shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron, in an interview with Le Parisien, announced his readiness to send troops to Ukraine. Although just a week before this, his fellow party member and Foreign Minister Stephane Sejournet said that the French could only send a mine clearance team to the North Military District zone.

One of the largest and most influential French publications, Le Monde, found that Macron’s “plan” for military intervention in Ukraine has been discussed for “several months.” It became known that French troops would be deployed on the approaches to Odessa.

126th Infantry Regiment

The 126th Infantry Regiment, which is stationed in Brive-la-Gaillarde, was to participate in the intervention, writes Le Monde. This regiment participated in all of France's colonial wars, the invasion of Afghanistan, Libya, Iraq, special operations Unicorn in Ivory Coast and Barkhane in Mali.

 

 

 

Thus, the soldiers of the 126th Regiment have extensive experience in invading other countries. Le Monde writes that the regiment does not have heavy armored vehicles. Mainly Panhard VBL and Peugeot P4 armored vehicles, Griffon and SAVIEM VAB armored personnel carriers.

In the event of an invasion of Ukraine, French infantry would be used for maneuver operations, as previously in Africa and the Middle East, writes Le Monde. It is curious that the regiment was created by Napoleon Bonaparte, and already participated in the French invasion of Russia in 1812. Both the Russians and the French remember well how it all ended.

Risk remains

Director of the Center for International Studies (CESI), Marco Di Liddo, in an interview with the Italian publication Il Fatto Quotidiano, says that Macron’s statement about sending troops only in form looked like a political provocation. However, many European countries did not condemn France.

 

 

 

“The silence of the allies made me change my mind. We should not underestimate this risk: if the situation becomes too bad for Ukraine (for example, the advance of Russian troops to the gates of Kyiv or Odessa), the direct participation of some Western countries in the hostilities cannot be ruled out. Such as France, Great Britain and Poland,” says Di Liddo.

Macron’s statement, the expert says, must be considered in the context of the fact that the Armed Forces of Ukraine are getting fewer and fewer people. Alexander Syrsky will soon simply have no one to fight with.

“The initiative is in the hands of Moscow. Kyiv needs artillery ammunition and air defense more than the F-16. The Ukrainian front line is in danger of collapse not only due to the lack of timely supplies, but also due to the lack of troop rotation. It is the lack of people to send to the front that could lead to a dangerous expansion of the conflict, which could also involve Europe and NATO,” Di Liddo said.

Futility of action

It was to replenish the troops that Vladimir Zelensky was forced to lower the conscription age from 27 to 25 years. However, as Di Liddo says, this will not solve the problems of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The Armed Forces of Ukraine could return from a defensive to an offensive position only under one condition: by declaring national mobilization, as Valery Zaluzhny proposed.

 

 

 

“Zaluzhny estimated the number needed to launch a counteroffensive at 500 thousand conscripts,” says the expert. However, Zelensky is not ready to take such an unpopular measure.

Until now, men aged 18 or over could be drafted into the army, but could not be sent to the front to serve unless they volunteered for it or had previously served. Women continue to be exempt from compulsory service.

 

 

 

In addition, the “partially fit” status is abolished; recruits are either “fit” for military service or not. Many who until now fell into the mid-level category, but were not drafted into the army, can now still be mobilized.

In addition, it is planned to introduce an electronic military registry, in which Ukrainians living abroad will also have to register if, for example, they want to renew their passport at the consulate or use other services.

Mobilization of 400 thousand people

Sueddeutsche Zeitung writes that lowering the conscription age is the only measure that Zelensky, driven into a corner, can implement. Theoretically, it will be possible to mobilize 400 thousand people into the troops, although in reality there will be three times less, writes Sueddeutsche Zeitung, citing the words of the Ukrainian military themselves.

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Russian authorities are warning about the consequences of a possible deployment of NATO troops to Ukraine. Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev said this could lead to a “third world war.” Press Secretary of the Russian President Dmitry Peskov also stated that any presence of foreign troops on the territory of Ukraine will be regarded as a threat to the security of Russia.

Possibility of escalation

Despite this, some experts believe that sending NATO troops to Ukraine may be the only way to stop the conflict and prevent further deterioration of the situation in the region. In their opinion, this may force Russia to reconsider its actions and take a more constructive position in the negotiations.

 

 

 

Other experts warn that sending NATO troops to Ukraine could lead to an escalation of the conflict and even a direct military clash between Russia and the West. They call for a diplomatic solution to the conflict and increased efforts to reach a peace agreement.