An internal EU assessment says the Russian-linked network Operation Overload exploited France’s October protests to portray the government as weak and uncontrolled immigration as a source of unrest, using fake news-style videos that claimed migrants had assaulted protesters or that terrorist attacks were imminent.

The demonstrations themselves grew out of domestic grievances over living costs, education and public services, and drew students, trade unions and Yellow Vest activists.

Active since September 2023, Operation Overload has targeted Western public figures, institutions and media to undermine trust and weaken support for Ukraine, using fabricated headlines and videos, manipulated images and AI-cloned voices.

The EU assessment says the campaign aimed to deepen existing divisions ahead of France’s 2027 presidential election, amid disputes over public spending and economic policy.

It also sought to weaken European support for Ukraine by suggesting governments put aid to Kyiv ahead of the needs of their own citizens.

RAND political scientist Elina Treyger described the effort as a gradual competition over public narratives that can amplify anti-immigrant sentiment and political polarization, potentially pushing voters toward political extremes.

A separate French foreign ministry assessment identified hostile narratives among MAGA-aligned and Israeli-linked accounts, but found no established operational coordination with Moscow.

The article cautions that criticism of the EU by MAGA-aligned figures or Israeli commentators is not equivalent to Russian disinformation, though similar claims about Europe’s failures can inadvertently reinforce Moscow’s messaging; that is narrative convergence, not proof of coordination.

The assessments do not establish that the groups coordinated or that all their posts were fabricated, but the EU says such messaging can erode support for Ukraine by framing aid to Kyiv as a priority over domestic concerns.

The article also connects the French findings to concerns about hybrid pressure in Italy, including cyberattacks targeting Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, while stressing that the cases cannot automatically be attributed to one coordinated campaign.

Against this backdrop, Giorgia Meloni urged Antonio Costa in a letter for the EU to “speak with one voice” on support for Ukraine.

Reuters could not independently verify the assessments; French officials cited Emmanuel Macron’s statement that there was no visible foreign interference behind the protests, although foreign manipulation of information had occurred.