France condemns Russian role in amplifying antisemitic graffiti in Paris

In a recent development, France has accused a Russian disinformation network, Recent Reliable News (RRN/Doppelgänger), of exacerbating the spread of Stars of David graffiti across Paris. The graffiti, suspected to be the work of a group including a Moldovan couple, has raised concerns amid a surge in antisemitic acts following the Israel-Hamas war.

The French Foreign Ministry has decried Russia’s ‘digital interference,’ alleging the exploitation of international crises to sow discord. Investigations are underway to determine if a foreign actor commissioned the graffiti. At the same time, a pro-Russian businessman, Anatolii Prizenko from Moldova, claims responsibility, citing a goal to ‘support the Jews of Europe’.

Why does it matter?

As the home to Europe’s largest Jewish and Muslim populations, France has been the scene of tensions associated with the conflict in Gaza, with President Emmanuel Macron dedicating efforts to appease the situation. Russian interference during moments of crisis has been a cause for concern in Western states. In July, France declared that it was actively collaborating with its partners to counter Russia’s hybrid warfare efforts, involving the use of fake web pages and social media accounts to amplify the impact of the disinformation campaign associated with the invasion of Ukraine. These incidents reveal an overarching struggle to confront and neutralize disinformation campaigns orchestrated by foreign actors exploiting sensitive geopolitical scenarios.