Macron's troop advance: According to EU insiders, Western special forces have long been in Ukraine. In order to counter international criticism and possibly also prevent Russian accusations, French foreign minister tried to be less ambiguous about sending ground troops to Ukraine.
The reaction from 10 Downing Street to Emmanuel Macron's recent comments now appears to indirectly confirm the presence of British troops in the country. The U.S. Department of Defense also confirmed in July 2023 that members of the United States Armed Forces located in Ukraine would receive hazard pay retroactive to April 24, 2022.