Three Suspects in Paris Linked to Russian Espionage and Propaganda Efforts Detained

French officials have detained three individuals under suspicion of espionage for Russia and promoting its propaganda related to the ongoing conflict. Prosecutors announced this development on Tuesday.

These arrests are linked to an investigation into SOS Donbass, a French-Russian organization, amid growing concerns about Russian influence throughout Europe in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine.

One of the arrested individuals, a 40-year-old Russian man, was captured on video surveillance placing pro-Russian posters on the Arc de Triomphe in Paris back in September, according to the city’s prosecutorial office.

He subsequently contacted the leader of SOS Donbass, a 40-year-old woman suspected by French counter-intelligence of attempting to gather financial data from French business leaders.

This woman, who hails from Russia, had been under observation by France’s domestic intelligence agency, the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI), since at least early this year.

Following the DGSI’s detection of activities that could jeopardize national interests linked to her, an investigating magistrate was appointed in March to examine several alleged crimes, including «collaboration with a foreign power,» which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.

SOS Donbass claims to operate as a humanitarian group that provides assistance to civilians in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region, an area partially occupied by Russia.

Additionally, a third individual in custody is a 63-year-old man from the Seine-Saint-Denis area in northern Paris.

A fourth suspect, aged 58, has avoided pre-trial detention but is under strict supervision and required to report to a police station weekly.