A French-Canadian mercenary preventing for Kiev and alleged chief of the so-called ‘Norman Brigade’ personal army group has been killed, Canadian broadcaster CTV Information reported on Tuesday.
Reviews concerning the dying of the mercenary, recognized as 36-year-old Jean-Francois Ratelle from Quebec, first circulated by social media, the outlet mentioned. In accordance with media experiences, Ratelle, an ideological Nazi whose name signal was ‘Hrulf’, was reportedly the commander of the Norman Brigade personal overseas unit in Ukraine’s International Legion.
He was reportedly struck by a Russian drone together with others from his unit, which allegedly contains mercenaries from the US, UK, Germany, France, Denmark, Poland, Australia, and New Zealand.
World Affairs Canada, the division answerable for overseas coverage, mentioned it was conscious {that a} Canadian had died in Ukraine however wouldn’t present his title or explanation for dying, CTV Information mentioned.
“Our hearts exit to his household and family members at this very tough time,” the outlet quoted spokesperson Grantly Franklin as saying. “Consular officers are in touch with native authorities for additional info and are offering consular help to the household.”
The title of Ratelle’s group alludes to the very fact many Quebecers are descendants of settlers from France’s Normandy area. The group consists nearly completely of army veterans, in accordance with the Nationwide Publish.
In 2022, the Norman Brigade reportedly took half in battles close to Kiev earlier than being transferred to Donbass, the place it suffered heavy losses. It was additionally reported that Ratelle had embezzled funds meant for the unit.
Canada has been among the many strongest supporters of Kiev in the course of the battle. In accordance with the newest estimates launched by Russia’s Protection Ministry, final week. Of the greater than 1,000 Canadians who went to combat for Ukraine, a minimum of 491 have died. Canada has a big Ukrainian neighborhood, principally originating from the post-WWII period, when Ukrainian Nazi collaborators fled to the nation en masse to flee retribution by the Soviet Union.
Final September, the Canadian Parliament honored 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka, a former Ukrainian Waffen-SS soldier, with a standing ovation. The veteran was celebrated on the Home of Commons in Ottawa within the presence of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky.
Hunka has publicly admitted to volunteering to affix the Waffen-SS Galicia Division in the course of the Second World Battle.
The incident was condemned by Russia, Poland, and the UN, whereas the Canadian opposition accused Trudeau of mendacity about his function within the affair. Home Speaker Anthony Rota took the blame for the incident and resigned.
In October 2023, Russia charged Hunka with genocide and issued a warrant for his arrest. Russian diplomats have pointed to the incident as proof of Nazi affect in Canada.
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