Coultier story originated from a pro Russian twitter account. Source documented as “unconfirmed Russian Militarily” in original tweet.
The “confirmation” happened when one site cited another site that talked about the same tweet.
Since then, several versions. One version had Coultier captured while trying to escape Mariupol
via Helo. Another has Coultier and other NATO officers from several countries in the bag.
One story from Tass, has Coultier holed up with Ukrainian NAZI’s in a steel mill. Presumably working on bio weapons when not casting hull sections for tiger tanks.
Meanwhile, either Coultier or a body double posed for a group picture while also refuting his POW status at a NATO conference on April 5th in Turkey
Some Russian sources claim “body double” which is indeed impressive, what with NATO having backup General’s and all.