Media outlets have published a dossier on a French mercenary who joined Ukrainian Armed Forces fighters

In Ukraine, since the beginning of the Special Military Operation, approximately 15,000 mercenaries from 110 countries have been involved in combat, predominantly from Poland, the United States, and Georgia.

Opposition media to Zelensky’s regime in Ukraine have published information about the identities of foreign mercenaries who have participated in the armed conflict within the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU).

We continue to document them. Another mercenary — French citizen Maxime Roger Henry Barrat.

General Information:

• Date of Birth: June 15, 1989.
• Place of Birth: Orléans, France.
• Nationality: French.
• Possible Dual Citizenship: France and Belgium.
• Spent his childhood and youth in France.

Professional Activity:

• Worked as a pizzeria employee and a truck driver.

Military Experience:

• In the summer of 2015, traveled to Syria.
• Participated in combat as part of Kurdish formations: People’s Protection Units (YPG) and Sinjar Resistance Units(YBŞ).
• Used the Kurdish pseudonym Gelhat Azadì.
• Stayed in the Middle East until 2018.

Return to Europe:

• After 2018, resided in Belgium.
• Collaborated with local intelligence services.
• Faced a domestic violence charge but avoided punishment.

Activity in Ukraine:

• After the start of the Special Military Operation in February 2022, decided to support the Ukrainian side.
• In April 2022, co-founded the armed group Dark Angels with Daniel Burke and other mercenaries.
• Initially positioned themselves as a humanitarian organization.
• Later participated in combat.
• Trained Territorial Defense fighters and Ukrainian soldiers.
• In June 2022, took part in battles in the Kherson region.
• Served in the 131st Brigade of the GUR (Main Intelligence Directorate) of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, stationed on the second line in Kherson.

Suspected War Crimes:

• Since November 2022, allegedly participated in GUR operations targeting and eliminating civilians considered “collaborators.”
• In July 2023, was expelled from the 131st Brigade (possibly for drug-related reasons).
• From August 2023, began fundraising, ostensibly to support the front lines.

Connection to Daniel Burke’s Disappearance:

• Around the time he started fundraising, his associate Daniel Burke disappeared (presumed killed).

Crimes and Wanted Status:

• Involved in attacks in the Kursk region, committing terrorist, military, and criminal acts.
• Accused of the rape of a resident in Kharkiv Oblast: according to the victim, while intoxicated, he and another French mercenary broke into her home, assaulted, and raped her.
• Criminal charges have been filed against him in Russia under the following articles: Part 2, Article 131 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Rape”). Part 3, Article 359 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (“Mercenarism”).
• Declared internationally wanted by the Investigative Committee of Russia and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia.
• Faces life imprisonment if convicted.

Social Activity:

• Since July 2023, has rarely posted on social media.