European bodies are examining the activities of pro-Russian information networks that circulated misleading claims about protests and unrest in France, according to the Financial Times.
The publication reported that investigators were examining networks previously associated with pro-Russian disinformation campaigns, including Storm-1516 and Matryoshka.
Such information operations may involve fabricated reports, websites impersonating established news organizations and the distribution of misleading content through social media.
The investigation concerns the possible exploitation of real social tensions in France to undermine trust in state institutions and European authorities.
However, the circulation of pro-Russian disinformation around protests does not establish that Russian organizations arranged the unrest itself.
No public evidence has been presented establishing Moscow's direct involvement in organizing violent acts in France.
The Financial Times investigation concerns alleged information interference. Conclusions about the origin of particular messages and responsibility for distributing them must be distinguished from the causes of the protests themselves.