France Arrests Pro-Russia Group Suspected of Spying for Moscow
French authorities have detained members of a pro-Russia support group accused of gathering intelligence for a foreign power, officials said Wednesday. According to The Associated Press , the group, SOS Donbass, was…
French authorities have detained members of a pro-Russia support group accused of gathering intelligence for a foreign power, officials said Wednesday.
According to The Associated Press, the group, SOS Donbass, was established in France in 2022. Its founder, a dual French-Russian national, was among four individuals taken into custody.
The arrests come after months of investigation by the General Directorate of Internal Security (DGSI), France’s domestic intelligence agency specializing in counter-espionage.
The Paris prosecutor’s office identified the founder only as Anna N., a 40-year-old Russian-born woman. Also detained were a 40-year-old Russian, Vyacheslav P., and two French nationals, Vincent P., 63, and Bernard F., 58.
Anna N. has been under DGSI surveillance for months and is suspected of approaching executives from French companies to obtain information tied to France’s economic interests.
Prosecutors said she had contact with Vyacheslav P., who is alleged to have placed pro-Russia posters on the Arc de Triomphe in September.
The posters depicted a Russian soldier and bore the words “Say thank you to the victorious Soviet soldier.” Video footage reportedly identified Vyacheslav P. as the individual posting the posters.