Russia, MAGA & Israel-linked networks stoked the flames during France riots: Report

Russia exploited violent riots in France to spread fake claims about migrant assaults and terrorist attacks, seeking to fuel anti-immigration sentiment, deepen social divisions and undermine President Emmanuel Macron's government.According to an internal European Union assessment reviewed by Reuters, a covert Russian-linked network known as Operation Overload circulated fabricated videos impersonating western media outlets to exploit the unrest. The report found that the operation sought to portray French leadership as weak and increasingly authoritarian.The assessment, which covered October 7 to 21, found no evidence that Russia or any other foreign actor had instigated or escalated the protests. Instead, it identified an attempt to capitalise on the unrest after it began, using disinformation to amplify existing political and social tensions.The network circulated fabricated reports claiming that migrants had raped protesters and that terrorist attacks were imminent.