Ukrainian analysts say Russian disinformation activity in France has surged, with more than 200 new fake media websites uncovered this year.
Russia has repeatedly used fake news networks to meddle in political debates across the West, especially when elections draw closer. The new activity in France marks another attempt to shape the environment in which voters form their views, rather than a one-off operation.
Over 140 of the identified sites imitate well-known French outlets and twist real reporting to promote Kremlin-friendly themes, according to the Center for Countering Disinformation (CCD).
Doppelgänger's AI factory churns out fake French news
The Ukrainian watchdog links the network to “Storm-1516,” also known as Doppelgänger, a long-running influence operation tied to American-born propagandist John Mark Dougan, who has lived in Moscow since 2016. Researchers say Dougan also runs a similar CopyCop network that mirrors the same tactics.
The sites publish large volumes of AI-generated articles written to resemble local French reporting. Analysts warn that this helps false stories blend into online conversations, giving them a veneer of credibility.
Since October, the volume of posts produced by the network has jumped sharply.
Macron in the crosshairs ahead of 2026 vote
The goal, the CCD says, is to undermine public trust in French institutions and damage President Emmanuel Macron ahead of the 2026 municipal elections.
Euronews recently documented how the network spreads fabricated claims, including a fake IQ test supposedly linked to Macron and circulated by pro-Russian accounts and a sham outlet mimicking French right-wing media outlet Fdesouche.
Recorded Future researchers told Euronews that many of the counterfeit sites lift genuine local stories but add pro-Kremlin lines or exaggerate events. Examples include altered coverage of the resignation of Saint-Étienne’s former mayor, where a fake outlet inserted praise for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Reporters Without Borders has tracked at least 85 active sites tied to the wider operation, noting that they have pushed thousands of articles since early autumn.
Pattern mirrors Germany's snap election interference
French media experts warn that the activity has accelerated as the 2026 vote approaches, mirroring patterns seen during Germany’s snap elections earlier this year.
CCD says the trend is a warning for France and the EU. Without stronger digital defenses and broader media literacy efforts, they argue, elections across the bloc will remain exposed to coordinated campaigns designed to influence public opinion.
