French special forces recently conducted a classified military exercise codenamed "Perseus" focused on preparing for a potential Belarus-led assault on Ukraine, according to revelations from Intelligence Online.
The extensive drills, which took place over several weeks in late 2024, involved over 3,000 elite troops including the prestigious 13th Parachute Dragoon Regiment, operating under the Commandement des Actions Spéciales Terre (CAST).
The exercise was carried out in terrain specifically chosen to mirror the geographical features around the Dnipro River north of Kyiv. Military planners incorporated advanced surveillance capabilities including CERES and CSO spy satellites, various drone systems, signals intelligence, and cyber warfare assets.
A notable aspect of the exercise was the emphasis on drone warfare, reflecting lessons learned from Ukraine's successful deployment of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The French forces utilized both professional Parrot Anafi MK3 systems and commercial Chinese Mavic 3T quadcopters, though military analysts noted the absence of first-person view attack drones and AI-enhanced systems.
The timing of Exercise Perseus appears linked to recent diplomatic developments. French President Emmanuel Macron has repeatedly raised the possibility of deploying European forces to Ukraine, including during recent discussions with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
This exercise highlights France's proactive military planning while also exposing potential gaps in their drone warfare capabilities. Military observers point to the Direction Générale de l'Armement's lack of operational requirements for advanced drone systems as a factor limiting French preparedness in this critical area.
The revelation of this classified exercise comes at a time of heightened tensions, as Ukraine's allies seek to demonstrate their commitment to supporting Kyiv against potential threats from multiple directions.