French authorities have detected a series of disinformation operations targeting potential candidates in the 2027 presidential elections. According to the intelligence services and Viginum, the agency responsible for combating foreign digital interference, the campaigns are being conducted by pro-Russian networks linked to Russian security services.
In recent weeks, several politicians have become targets. Édouard Philippe, the former prime minister and candidate for the Horizons party, was the first to be attacked. False information was spread about his state of health.
Raphaël Glucksmann, a Member of the European Parliament and leader of Place publique, a possible centre-left candidate, was the victim of an operation by the Storm-1516 group, which French authorities directly link to the GRU. Fake materials were created, including a website imitating the outlet Blast and a deepfake video. These claimed that his partner, journalist Léa Salamé, had allegedly attempted to bribe other journalists to promote his candidacy.
Gabriel Attal, the former prime minister and leader of the Renaissance party, was the latest on the list. According to Viginum, he was targeted by another pro-Russian network — Matriochka. Fake “news” was circulated claiming he had Parkinson’s disease, that his father had died of a cocaine overdose, and other fabricated facts. Attal himself stated: “Russia wants to steal the election from the French.”
The operations involve creating clones of well-known French media outlets, using deepfake videos and synthesised voices, and distributing the material via social media. The visibility of these campaigns remains relatively low so far, but the goal is to sow doubt. Glucksmann described what happened as “merely a foretaste of what awaits us.” French authorities stress that such actions are aimed at destabilising the democratic process and weakening politicians who criticise the Kremlin and support Ukraine.
The Secretariat-General for Defence and National Security officially notified the politicians concerned. The government is preparing to tighten legislation against foreign interference in elections, including harsher penalties for spreading false information during the pre-election period.