According to an investigation published in Le Monde, thousands of European influencers, including some French creators, have been approached by individuals linked to the Kremlin as part of a manipulation campaign aimed at shaping European public opinion on the war in Ukraine. Launched in early 2022, this operation sought to disseminate pro-Russian messages emphasizing Russia’s military strength or the risks of a global conflict if the West continues supporting Ukraine.
French intelligence services report that more than 2,000 content creators were contacted, with around 20 agreeing to participate. These influencers, often unrelated to geopolitical topics, act as well-embedded and hard-to-detect channels, reaching young audiences on platforms like TikTok and Instagram.
Jean-Noël Barrot, the resigning Minister of Foreign Affairs, confirmed the existence of this campaign during a hearing at the National Assembly yesterday. He urged content creators and their followers to remain vigilant against these attempts to manipulate public debate.
This is not the first time Russian interference efforts have been detected. Similar cases have been reported, including the arrest of a Russian national suspected of planning political destabilization during the Paris 2024 Olympics. These maneuvers highlight Russia’s preferred strategy of interference to disrupt political stability in Europe.
This approach mirrors a similar operation in Romania, where influencers were paid to promote pro-Kremlin candidate Călin Georgescu during the November 2024 presidential election. The disinformation campaign significantly destabilized the electoral process, demonstrating the effectiveness of such methods in discreetly influencing public opinion.
French authorities stress the importance of vigilance against these interference strategies, which rely on local intermediaries and strategic actors to evade detection by platforms and users.
Find the full article in Le Monde here.
