Reuters: EU report finds Russian interference during France riots

An internal EU report, obtained by Reuters, has revealed that a Russian network used social media to fuel unrest during France's recent riots. Dubbed "Operation Overload," this network spread disinformation videos impersonating legitimate media outlets, often featuring hostile anti-immigrant propaganda. The protests, sparked by teachers' strikes over education sector issues, saw up to 800,000 people at peak times.

Despite mostly peaceful demonstrations, some rioting and looting occurred. The EU's analysis, covering October 7-21, found evidence of Russian attempts to portray French leadership as weak and increasingly authoritarian. Operation Overload, active since September 2023, targets Western public figures, institutions, and media outlets to discredit them and promote Russian interests.

The report echoes claims made by French President Emmanuel Macron, who stated earlier that no foreign interference was evident during the riots, though information was manipulated afterward. A separate EU assessment, published in March, also found that Israeli and US-linked social media accounts promoted islamophobia and anti-immigrant narratives during the protests.