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Three people have been detained after they allegedly left five life-size coffins draped in French flags with the inscription "French soldiers in Ukraine" near the Eiffel Tower on Saturday.

Ukrainska Pravda

Five coffins wrapped in French flags, with the words "French soldiers in Ukraine" attached, were discovered at the foot of the Eiffel Tower over the weekend.

The coffins, left on the Quai Branly in Paris — which is preparing to host the 2024 Olympic Games — reportedly contained gypsum, not corpses.

A source close to the French investigation told AFP that three people left the five, life-sized coffins on the Quai Branly at around 9am on Saturday. Coming as Paris prepares to host the 2024 Olympic Games, the coffins left near one of the world's most recognizable monuments did not contain corpses, but gypsum, the source added.

French officials claim that the incident is connected with another from mid-May, when the Shoah Memorial was sprayed with red hands, suspecting both of being Russian interference operations.

Le Monde.fr

French officials, according to documents seen by Le Monde, allege that the event is connected with another from mid-May. Then, another Paris monument was sprayed with red hands. French officials suspect both of being Russian interference operations.

The three men — a Bulgarian, a Ukrainian and a German — remain in French custody in connection with the latest incident. According to AFP's source, the Bulgarian man was paid €40 ($43) to drive the two others who were arrested separately at the Bercy coach terminal, on their way to Berlin.

One of the accused, a Bulgarian citizen, was reportedly paid €40 ($43) to drive the other two — a Ukrainian and a German national — and the coffins.

While the motives of the men remain unclear, the inscription attached to the coffins suggests a link to remarks by French Pres. Emmanuel Macron and his advocating for the stationing of NATO troops inside Ukraine.

While the men's motives remain unclear, the inscription on the coffins suggests a link to discussions initiated by French Pres. Emmanuel Macron regarding stationing NATO troops inside Ukraine.

Last week, the defense ministries of France and Ukraine announced that French instructors would be deployed in Ukraine for the purposes of training troops, as well as to carry out military repairs.

The Kyiv Independent

Last week, the defense ministries of France and Ukraine announced that French instructors would be deployed in Ukraine to train troops and carry out military repairs.

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Data from the three suspects' phones shows that they were in contact with another man whose role in other Russian interference operations has been shown. This is clearly Russia trying to foment agitation in an effort to discredit France's unwavering support of Ukraine.

Coffins at the Eiffel Tower: Suspicions point to another case of Russian interference

The motives of the three men remains unknown at this point. However, on the surface level, they appear to be in connection with France's actions with respect to Ukraine.

Coffins marked "French soldiers in Ukraine" left near Eiffel Tower in anti-Ukraine protest

There is a 2% chance that Emmanuel Macron will cease being President of France before 2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

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Macron no longer President before 2027?

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Coffins Marked 'French Soldiers in Ukraine' Left Near Eiffel Tower

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Russia

Data from the three suspects' phones shows that they were in contact with another man whose role in a previous suspected Russian interference operation is being probed. This is clearly Russia trying to foment agitation to discredit France's unwavering support of Ukraine.

BBC News

France: Russia link suspected in Eiffel Tower coffin mystery

As the motives of the three men remain unknown, it's premature to blame Moscow for France's security lapse. Instead of investigating the incident as a possible interference by a foreign power, French officials must focus on closing the security loopholes.

Barrons

France Arrests Three After Coffins Left At Eiffel Tower

There's a 2% chance that Emmanuel Macron will cease being President of France before 2027, according to the Metaculus prediction community.

Coffins Marked 'French Soldiers in Ukraine' Left Near Eiffel Tower

Coffins Marked 'French Soldiers in Ukraine' Left Near Eiffel Tower

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Coffins Marked 'French Soldiers in Ukraine' Left Near Eiffel Tower

Coffins Marked 'French Soldiers in Ukraine' Left Near Eiffel Tower

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