A total of 193 websites

France uncovers Russian fake news network

Fake news is becoming increasingly difficult to detect.

(Bild: stock.adobe.com/MclittleStock)

According to diplomatic sources, a "structured and coordinated network of Russian propaganda" has been uncovered in France. This was aimed at European countries and the USA and was intended to legitimize the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, it was reported on Monday.

The content of the network could potentially affect the "fundamental interests" of France. The network consists of at least 193 websites, the authority Viginum, which takes action against digital interference from abroad, explained in a report. These do not produce their own content. Instead, they would disseminate masses of content mainly from accounts of Russian and pro-Russian actors in online networks, Russian news agencies and official websites of local institutions or actors.

Cooperation against propaganda
At the weekend, French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné announced a joint initiative by Germany, France and Poland against Russian disinformation campaigns. "Our three countries have become victims of the same destabilization strategy," he said in an interview with newspapers from the three countries, including the "FAZ". He cited Russian troll factories and fake news sites as examples.

There are indications that there are so-called sleeper operations, i.e. tools that can be activated at any time, especially during an election. "This is intended to create confusion among citizens. (...) With the aim of creating polarization that destabilizes our democracies politically," stressed Séjourné.