France on alert as Russia allegedly plans election information offensive

Russian threats in the digital space

French intelligence services note a high risk of online manipulation and disinformation ahead of the elections.

“The most likely threats are fake news, information leaks, and attempts to influence voters,” the agency said.

The interference is aimed at undermining trust in political institutions and destabilizing the electoral process.

History of digital pressure

Earlier, in 2025, analysts from Insikt Group identified 140 websites posing as French media outlets, about 20 of which presented themselves as local publications.

Some of these sites spread false stories linking President Emmanuel Macron to the Jeffrey Epstein case, targeting the discrediting of the government.

Tools of Russian propaganda

Behind these campaigns was the Russian disinformation network Storm-1516, which actively uses social media, fake websites, and artificial intelligence to spread disinformation.

To increase reach, the Kremlin uses troll farms — networks of automated and controlled accounts that create the illusion of mass support for certain narratives.

Geopolitical goals of disinformation

Experts emphasize that the activation of such operations reflects a systemic strategy: discrediting democratic institutions, weakening European solidarity, and creating information instability ahead of key elections.

There is a growing trend of scaling such campaigns across other European countries, including Germany, where intelligence services have also detected increased Russian interference activity.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot described the neutralization of a drone near the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle in Swedish waters as an absurd provocation by Russia.

France has announced plans to expand its nuclear capabilities amid doubts about the reliability of security guarantees from the US.