France arrests three for alleged Russian espionage and propaganda

French law enforcement has arrested three people accused of spying for Russia and spreading pro-Kremlin propaganda in Paris, according to judicial officials. The investigation targets SOS Donbass, a French-Russian organization that presents itself as a humanitarian group assisting eastern Ukraine civilians but is suspected by intelligence services of serving as a conduit for Russian influence operations.

Surveillance and Propaganda Operations

One detainee, a 40-year-old Russian national, was identified through surveillance footage from September allegedly showing him posting pro-Russian propaganda materials on Paris's iconic Arc de Triomphe. Prosecutors assert he reported these activities to the organization's leader via telephone communication. The group's head, a 40-year-old woman born in Russia, had been under close monitoring by France's domestic intelligence agency (DGSI) since early 2025 over suspicions she attempted to obtain economic information from French business executives.

Legal Charges and Broader Pattern

The DGSI documented "actions likely to harm the fundamental interests of the nation," leading to the appointment of an investigating magistrate in March to examine suspected offenses including "collusion with a foreign power" – a charge carrying potential 10-year prison sentences. A third suspect, a 63-year-old man from Seine-Saint-Denis, was also taken into custody, while a fourth individual received judicial supervision requiring weekly police check-ins.

Expanding Russian Intelligence Activities

These arrests align with repeated warnings from French officials about expanding Russian intelligence operations across European territory. Authorities note increasing Russian covert activities ranging from cyberattacks and online propaganda to direct recruitment efforts and targeted influence campaigns. The ongoing investigation continues to analyze potential connections between the suspects and Russian state structures, examining whether humanitarian cover was systematically exploited to advance pro-Kremlin messaging and collect sensitive information.