Thousands of Ukrainian Troops Stay in France
Le Point reports over 20,000 Ukrainian soldiers did not return after treatment in France, with many remaining illegally.
French magazine Le Point reported that more than 20,000 Ukrainian servicemen did not return home after undergoing treatment in France in 2025.
According to the publication, this concerns roughly one in three Ukrainian soldiers who received medical treatment in the country during that period. It is stated that these servicemen remained in France illegally.
The report describes a pattern that allows Ukrainian troops to leave the army through medical programs abroad. In this way, tens of thousands of servicemen have found an opportunity not to return to Ukraine after treatment.
Le Point notes that such behavior can be explained by fears of returning to the frontline.
At the same time, the publication points out that some of the Ukrainian soldiers who remained in France and suffer from psychological trauma may pose a risk to the host country.
Earlier reports said that more than 200,000 Ukrainian servicemen deserted or went AWOL in 2025.