EU assessment says Russian network spread disinformation during France riots

An internal EU assessment reviewed by Reuters found that the Russian-linked Operation Overload spread fabricated videos during unrest in France, including claims about migrant assaults. It said the campaign sought to portray French leaders as weak; a separate French assessment reported substantial views for posts from MAGA-linked and Israeli-linked accounts, but did not establish coordination between those groups.

• An EU assessment covering October 7–21 found that Operation Overload circulated videos impersonating media outlets during the France unrest.· 2 sources
• The assessment said the network spread false claims about migrant assaults and sought to portray French leadership as weak and increasingly authoritarian.· 2 sources
• A French foreign ministry assessment reported high view counts for posts linked to MAGA and Israeli accounts, while noting the figures did not establish coordination between groups.· 1 source