French law enforcement authorities have detained three people suspected of espionage, collecting sensitive information and carrying out destabilising actions in France in the interests of the Russian Federation, French media and law enforcement sources reported.
According to the investigation, the detainees may be connected to the SOS Donbass association, which was disguised as a humanitarian structure, but was actually used as a facade for activities potentially related to Russian special services.
According to journalists, it concerns three people:
• a Russian woman with dual (also French) citizenship,
• a French citizen,
• a citizen of Ukraine.
The first two are accused of:
• collusion with a foreign state,
• collecting information for the benefit of a foreign state,
• criminal conspiracy.
The Ukrainian is suspected of:
• damage to state property in connection with a foreign state,
• participation in a destabilising action near the Arc de Triomphe in Paris,
• criminal conspiracy.
At this stage, the French investigation is not disclosing details of the detainees’ personal data – only initials and limited biographical information appear in the media.
According to the investigation, the “humanitarian” association SOS Donbass could have been a front for:
• organisation of pro-Russian actions in Paris and other cities in France;
• collecting information about the activities of the Ukrainian diaspora, diplomatic structures, or other objects of interest to the Russian Federation;
• spreading pro-Russian messages and conspiracy theories under the guise of volunteer activities.
One of the episodes that preceded the detention was a scandalous action near the Arc de Triomphe, accompanied by pro-Russian symbols and damage to state property. According to the police, it was this episode that became the immediate reason for the arrest of the Ukrainian citizen.
The Paris case fits into the general trend of European intelligence services over the past two years:
• activation of Russian networks in EU countries, in particular under the guise of “volunteer” or “human rights” initiatives;
• use of diaspora, “dual citizenships” and mixed groups to disguise intelligence activities;
• attempts to organise local destabilisation actions and information provocations.
After the start of the Russian Federation’s full-scale aggression against Ukraine, France intensified counterintelligence activities and, in 2022–2024, expelled more than a hundred Russian diplomats and “non-diplomats” on charges of espionage.
The detention of three suspects is a continuation of this line and demonstrates that Paris reacts harshly even to small groups capable of influencing the security situation or public opinion.
The fact of the presence of a Ukrainian citizen among the detainees indicates several trends:
• Russia actively recruits or uses people of Ukrainian origin to cover up operations, counting on less suspicion.
The diaspora in EU countries is becoming a target of Russian hybrid operations – from propaganda campaigns to attempts to infiltrate communities and organisations.
European intelligence agencies are intensifying monitoring of all structures that formally support Ukraine or deal with humanitarian issues to identify those who may be working “on both sides.”
For now, French law enforcement is limited to general statements. In the coming weeks, the following is expected:
• formal filing of charges;
• publication of part of the investigation materials;
• a legal decision on the continued existence of “SOS Donbass”.
Given the practice of recent years, France may resort to deporting non-EU citizens and try French citizens on espionage charges, which carry long prison sentences.
Viktor Yahun
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