AI-Generated Deepfakes in Russian Disinformation Campaign Targeting French Politicians
Suspected Russian interference operations targeted French presidential candidates Gabriel Attal, Raphael Glucksmann and Edouard Philippe with AI-generated deepfakes, fabricated reports and counterfeit news content in August 2026. Attal and Glucksmann filed criminal complaints, and prosecutors are investigating the campaign targeting centrist candidates ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
What happened
French presidential candidate Gabriel Attal was targeted by four suspected Russian interference operations within two weeks in August 2026, according to BFMTV. One operation on August 12 involved an AI-generated video showing caricatures of Attal projected onto the Pantheon in Paris, accompanied by insulting messages. Another operation involved fake reports and counterfeit newspaper front pages circulated on social media on Wednesday, spreading false health information and false corruption allegations about Attal.
Raphael Glucksmann, a European Parliament member and potential presidential candidate, and Edouard Philippe, Horizons party leader and former Prime Minister, were also recently targeted by similar operations. Attal filed a criminal complaint on August 7 over foreign interference, and Glucksmann filed a complaint on August 12.
Reported impact
The operations targeted French presidential hopefuls with fabricated reports, AI-generated videos, and counterfeit news content as the country prepares for its 2027 presidential election.
Index analysis
The EU's AI Act transparency requirements, which went into effect in August 2026, require providers of covered AI systems to make generated or manipulated content detectable through machine-readable markings and require disclosures for certain deepfakes. France had already proposed legislation to substantially increase penalties for spreading false information during election periods.
Governance controls
The French government proposed legislation to increase penalties for spreading false information during election periods. Russia is considering legislation that would make the use of AI-generated synthetic media an aggravating circumstance when another crime is committed.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.