The Russian Foreign Ministry reported that Jay Darmadikari, the French chargé d’affaires in Moscow, was summoned to the ministry to deliver a firm protest over posts published by the French embassy on social media. These posts referred to actions by the Russian Armed Forces in Bucha and other locations in Ukraine. The ministry published an official press release on its website detailing the incident and the government’s position. The exchange underscored Moscow’s view that the French statements contained unfounded and baseless accusations against Russian military personnel, which the Russian side called categorically unacceptable.
The Russian side asserted that French officials were reminded of the inconsistencies in how the Bucha situation is portrayed, emphasizing a belief that the narrative surrounding the events in the town is not aligned with what Moscow considers to be factual. In describing the statements from France and other hostile countries as provocative, the ministry framed the discussion as part of a broader pattern of aggressive rhetoric targeting Russia.
Background context is relevant to understanding the timing and character of the exchange. On April 3, 2022, Ukrainian authorities released photos and videos from Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv, that accused Russian military personnel of committing civilian killings. The Russian Ministry of Defense has repeatedly rejected these allegations, stating that during the period when the settlement was under the control of Russian forces, no local resident suffered violence at the hands of Russian troops. The ministry has asserted that such posts contribute to a misleading portrayal of events and are part of a coordinated information campaign that seeks to influence international perceptions.
The exchange, as described by the Russian Foreign Ministry, highlights ongoing tensions in information warfare surrounding the conflict in Ukraine. Moscow characterizes the French embassy posts as provocative and insists that they distort the sequence of events and the realities on the ground. The ministry’s account portrays Paris as taking a hostile stance and using social media to intensify criticism of Russia without presenting verified evidence in a manner that aligns with Moscow’s official statements.
In its communication, the Russian Foreign Ministry stressed the importance of careful, evidence-based discourse when discussing alleged crimes in war zones. It urged foreign representatives to consider the full context of operations and to refrain from disseminating material that could mislead international audiences. The ministry also indicated that it would monitor further statements and responses from French officials and other parties it views as taking a confrontational approach to the situation in Ukraine, with the aim of safeguarding Russia’s reputation and countering what it describes as biased reporting.
Overall, the event illustrates the fragile balance international actors must maintain when addressing contentious incidents amid an ongoing conflict. It also underscores how diplomatic channels remain a tool for conveying disapproval and demanding accountability, even as battlefield narratives continue to evolve and are contested by multiple sides. Attribution: Russian Foreign Ministry press release on the incident involving the French chargé d’affaires in Moscow and related statements about Bucha and Ukrainian events.