Putin infiltrates – bloody hands and fake coffins

Kremlin
Russian propaganda infiltrates France ahead of the election

Knut Sahlin Ekberg

Published 12.33

On Sunday, the fate of France will be decided - at the same time, the Kremlin is working to increase divisions in the country.

Now experts warn of the Russian propaganda, which has already entered the country.

And in France it has worked to some extent, according to expert Charlotte Wagnsson.

Quick version

•  Experts are warning of an influence campaign by Russia in the context of the French election, with propaganda already circulating in France aimed at stirring social unrest and undermining trust in the media and democratic institutions.
•  The campaign, which began last October, includes fake photos, recruitment videos and graffiti in Paris, allegedly orchestrated by Russia's FSB intelligence service.
• Russia's foreign ministry has shown support for far-right leader Marine Le Pen and her National Assembly party, expecting "improved relations" between Moscow and Paris after the election.
  

A carefully orchestrated influence campaign from Russia is being wired into France ahead of the fateful election, cyber security experts in France, Europe and the United States say, AP reports.

Images of bloody hands at a Holocaust memorial, coffins at the Eiffel Tower and a fake recruitment video urging French soldiers to fight in Ukraine are all part of Russian propaganda.
Memorial site was vandalized

The campaign against France took off in October last year. It gained attention when 1,000 Russian-linked trolls posted pictures of Star of David graffiti in the Paris suburbs. French intelligence singled out Russia's FSB intelligence agency as the culprit behind the fake photos, accusing them of ordering the vandalism of a Holocaust memorial.

When Macron in March announced the possibility of sending French soldaiers to the war in Ukraine, the Kremlin's propaganda grew. Fake recruitment videos for French soldiers were spread via the Telegram platform and picked up in Belarusian and Russian media.

In early June, coffins were found outside the Eiffel Tower with the engraved text "French soldiers in Ukraine". Russia is accused of putting them there.

Graffiti has also been found on the streets of Paris with the text "French soldiers in Ukraine". Photo: Oleg Cetinic/AP

The expert: Stepped up before the election

Charlotte Wagnsson, expert on influence campaigns at the Norwegian Defense Academy, explains that this is a common tactic.

- It has been seen for a long time that they worked against countries in Europe. Not least the largest countries Germany and France, she says.

The French military has stated that the Russian goal is to spread social unrest and lower trust in the media and democratic institutions.

- In general, you work on trying to divide countries, polarize and pit groups against each other, says Charlotte Wagnsson.

She also explains that these campaigns are usually stepped up before elections.

- By spreading rumors and whipping up disagreements and supporting the extremes.

Vladimir Putin's Kremlin is said to be behind the campaign. Photo: Gavriil Grigorov / TT

Kremlin expects 'improved relations'

After last Sunday's election round, Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs showed its support for far-right leader Marine Le Pen.

Her party National Gathering was the largest then with 34 percent of the vote. Followed by a picture of the party leader was a message from the deputy spokesperson at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Andrej Nastasin.

"The people of France want a foreign policy that serves their national interests and departs from the dictates of Washington and Brussels," he wrote, according to  Le Monde.

Her party has long had close ties to Russia and supported their annexation of the Crimean peninsula in 2014.

 

The French people cast their votes on Sunday.

1 / 2Photo: Louise Delmotte / AP

At the same time, the Kremlin states that it is following the elections in France "very closely", reports the Moscow Times.

- Last week we saw Joe Biden lose the debate against Donald Trump. And now Macron's party has lost. The leaders of the major powers are suffering heavy losses, said Russian lower house spokesman Vyacheslav Volodin.

Another Russian politician, Vladimir Dzhabarov, said he expected "improved relations between Paris and Moscow" after the election.

- The leaders of the National Assembly have been clear that the French support for Ukraine should be taken up, he said after the first round of elections.

Russia has denied being behind influence campaigns.

Images of stars of David appeared in Paris. Photo: Michel Euler / AP

 

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French politics
5 points about: The election in France

Knut Sahlin Ekberg

Published 12.34

On Sunday, the French go to the polls in the second and final round of the parliamentary elections.

The far-right National Gathering looks set to become the largest party, but not reach its own majority.

1. Right-wing extremists

Last Sunday, the far-right National Gathering became the largest party with 34 percent of the vote. The second largest was the left-wing alliance NFP with 28 percent. Together, President Emmanuel MacronsEmmanuel Macron's alliance was third largest with 20.8 percent.

2. The left mobilizes

In a mobilization against the National Assembly, many left and center candidates withdrew from the election on Tuesday. They urge their voters to vote for one and the same left-wing candidate so that the chance of a left-wing majority increases and the risk of a right-wing majority decreases.

Regardless of tonight's result, Emmanuel Macron will remain in office. Photo: Lotte Fernvall

3. Macron will remain

Regardless of tonight's result, Emmanuel Macron will remain president until the 2027 election. Tonight's outcome will determine who will be prime minister. The offices have different areas of responsibility, with the president mostly controlling foreign policy. Macron called fo new elections on May 9.

4. Decisive round

Today's round of elections is the last and decisive for who can form a majority and become prime minister. Voter mobilization will decide. According to opinion polls, the National Gathering looks set to become the largest party but not get a majority.

More than 50 political candidates have been attacked during election spurts. Photo: Ludovic Marin / AP

5. Fear of violence

Ahead of the final result, there is widespread concern that violence will break out. More than 50 political candidates have been attacked during election spurts, Sky News reports. 30 people with "extremely different backgrounds" have been arrested on suspicion of having attacked both right-wing and left-wing politicians.