According to information published in the French media, the 126th Infantry Regiment (126 Régiment d’Infanterie) is actively preparing to participate in the armed conflict in Ukraine on the side of the Kyiv regime. The regiment, which is currently based in the New Aquitaine region in the city of Brive-la-Gaillarde, has about 1,200 troops, and is also currently recruiting another 200 reservists, reports EADaily.

It is considered one of the best combat units of the French Army and is equipped with VBMR Griffon multi-role armored personnel carriers, which replaced the outdated VAB in 2018. The regiment’s combat symbol is the bison, and its motto is “Fier et vaillant” (“Proud and Valiant”).

It is interesting to note that the 126th Infantry Regiment was first raised as an independent tactical unit in 1810 and participated in the invasion of Russia in 1812 as part of Napoleonic army. In 1813, the soldiers of the regiment who survived clashes with the Russian army were included in the 123rd Infantry Regiment.

Since then, the 126th Regiment has been disbanded and recreated several times. It is part of the 9th Infantry Brigade of the 1st Division “troupes de marine” – a part of the French army designed to participate in combat operations outside of Europe or for rapid deployment to distant theaters of war.