An internal European Union assessment seen by Reuters has exposed a covert Russian network known as 'Operation Overload' that targeted mass unrest in France by deliberately spreading fake news about migrants and terrorist threats. According to the document, the network sought to exploit public outrage surrounding the protests to fuel fear of migration and convince audiences that French authorities had lost control of the situation. The EU analysis covers the period from October 7 to 21.
How the Network Operated: Videos Masquerading as Western Media
The EU report noted that 'Operation Overload' distributed video materials disguised as publications by mainstream Western media outlets. Specifically, these videos falsely claimed that migrants had raped protesters and that terrorist attacks were imminent in France. According to European disinformation experts, such publications were designed to portray the French leadership as weak and increasingly resorting to authoritarian methods, as well as to shape public opinion ahead of elections.
Beyond Russia: Accounts Linked to Israel and the MAGA Movement
A separate study by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs revealed that accounts linked to Israel and the American MAGA movement also joined in spreading negative messaging about the unrest. These posts artificially tied the protests to radical Islamism and migration. European experts noted that these instances demonstrate how external forces attempt to exploit domestic conflicts in other countries to advance their own political interests.
Calls for Restraint: No Evidence of Provocation Found
At the same time, the authors of the EU report emphasized that they found no evidence to suggest that Moscow or other external forces provoked the protests in France or contributed to their escalation. They characterized the actions of the Russian network as 'opportunistic exploitation of unrest.' The document explicitly states that such events allow perpetrators to undermine the authority of national governments, stir up fear and discord, and shape public opinion ahead of elections.
Context: From Cost-of-Living Protests to Nationwide Strikes
Mass protests in France began in September amid widespread discontent over rising living costs, problems within the education system, and the deteriorating quality of public services. The demonstrations intensified in October, spreading to various cities across the country as peaceful rallies turned into clashes with police and rioting. During the unrest on October 17, law enforcement detained over 1,800 people, while more than 500 police officers, gendarmes, and emergency workers sustained injuries. The protests continued into subsequent weeks: demonstrators took to the streets again on October 24, and on November 5, approximately 575,000 people participated in nationwide rallies and strikes, according to the French Interior Ministry.
