Russian disinformation networks have launched an early and aggressive campaign to interfere in France’s upcoming 2027 presidential election, targeting declared and potential candidates who have maintained firm stances against Moscow. In the past few weeks alone, French security services have identified at least three distinct influence operations directed at high-profile political figures. These attacks utilize a blend of sophisticated social media manipulation and crude fabrication, often mimicking reputable French news outlets to disseminate defamatory content.
The first documented case involved Édouard Philippe, the former Prime Minister and leader of the Horizons party, who became the target of the Russian network “Storm-1516.” Known for its historical ties to Russian military intelligence and the remnants of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s “troll factory,” this group spread false information regarding Philippe’s health. Philippe, who has been vocal in his support for Ukraine’s European integration, appears to be a prime target for a network that has previously sought to disrupt electoral processes in the United States, Germany, and Hungary.
Raphaël Glucksmann, a center-left politician and staunch ally of Kyiv, faced similar coordinated attacks. Russian actors created a sophisticated smear campaign involving a faked video and article attributed to the French outlet Blast, which falsely accused Glucksmann’s partner of attempting to bribe media figures to improve his public image. The intervention was so significant that it was confirmed by the French General Secretariat for Defense and National Security, illustrating the state-level concern regarding the reach of these digital operations.
Gabriel Attal, a key candidate from Emmanuel Macron’s Renaissance party, has also been subjected to a massive smear campaign orchestrated by the “Matryoshka” bot operation. This network produced a series of fake videos impersonating major French media outlets such as Le Monde and AFP. The disinformation targeted Attal with absurd claims regarding his health, his family’s finances, and his personal life. By interweaving verifiable biographical details with fabricated scandals, the attackers aimed to create a confusing “information noise” that undermines public trust.
The common thread linking these disparate attacks is the political profile of the victims: all three politicians have demonstrated unwavering support for Ukraine and have publicly denounced the Kremlin’s interference in French democratic affairs. Attal, in particular, has previously labeled Russian disinformation as a threat comparable to a “new world war.” By targeting those who pose a clear obstacle to Russian strategic interests, Moscow is attempting to erode the reputations of pro-European candidates long before they officially secure their places on the ballot.
According to observers and the targets themselves, the ultimate goal of these campaigns is to sow systemic doubt within the French electorate. By flooding social media with fabricated controversies, these networks rely on the psychological principle that “there is no smoke without fire,” hoping to leave voters suspicious of even the most established political figures. As the 2027 election approaches, these crude but persistent tactics highlight a broader, ongoing effort by Russia to destabilize French internal politics through systematic information warfare.