# Russia impersonates French news outlets to influence France’s next presidential election

https://mins.news/en/item/16011

- Meduza, 2026-08-07 09:33 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://meduza.io/en/feature/2026/08/07/how-russia-is-impersonating-french-news-outlets-in-a-bid-to-influence-france-s-next-presidential-election

> Russian disinformation networks have begun an active effort to interfere in France’s presidential election, scheduled for April 2027. At least three cases have emerged over the past two weeks in which the networks circulated fabricated claims about possible candidates on social media. They also posed as well-known French news organizations. The targets included politicians who had criticized Russia or supported Ukraine in the war. The narratives are relatively crude and easy to debunk.

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