Attal's entourage told French press agency AFP on Wednesday that the SGDSN, France's national defence and security secretariat, had alerted them to interference “linked to organs of the Russian central authorities”.
The operation was described by a security source as “low‑visibility”, with only a few thousand views, and was not presented as a direct hacking of Attal's personal devices but rather as part of a broader disinformation campaign.
The disclosure comes weeks after similar alerts involving other potential contenders.
In late July, former prime minister Edouard Philippe, a declared 2027 candidate, was targeted by the pro‑Russian network Storm‑1516 with false claims about his health, in what a security source, talking to AFP, called the first such operation against a French presidential hopeful. Edouard Philippe, Mayor of Le Havre and leader of French political party Horizons (HOR), delivers a speech during the Horizons party National Council and the Assembly of Mayors meeting to discuss the political situation and prepare for the French 2027 presidential campaign, in Reims, France, May 10, 2026.
Days later, Socialist MEP Raphael Glucksmann said the SGDSN had informed him that he too was the target of a Storm‑1516 operation “directly run by the GRU”, Russia's military intelligence, using fake audio and text to suggest improper ties between his partner, journalist Léa Salamé, and media figure Edwy Plenel.
France's political year ahead: power plays, rivals and the road to 2027
French authorities have repeatedly warned that the April 2027 presidential vote will be a prime target for foreign digital interference.
Viginum, the state's digital‑interference monitoring service under the SGDSN, documented four foreign interference operations during the March 2026 municipal elections, two of them attributed to known pro‑Russian actors including Storm‑1516
French cyber agency warns TikTok manipulation could hit Romania's vote, again
Security sources quoted by AFP have described these campaigns as part of a “routine” of Russian activity that is often “low‑visibility” and easy to debunk, but intended to destabilise the government, fragment public opinion and weaken the pro‑European “republican front”. Place publique's centre-left party leader and France's MEP Raphael Glucksmann marches as he takes part in a May Day (Labour Day) rally, marking International Workers' Day, in Rouen, northern France on May 1, 2026.
Glucksmann has warned that the 2027 campaign “will be marked by massive interference”, with Moscow seeking to “make France tip” and “implode the European bloc” by targeting pro‑European candidates.
(with newswires)
Russian strikes target Ukraine's Kharkiv and Sumy regions, killing at least six
Iran says Hormuz deal with Oman in final stage as Trump signals breakthrough
FIFA backs Infantino but apologises over World Cup investment plan
Fire destroys part of late Murtala Mohammed’s family house in Tamale
Oppong Nkrumah demands full disclosure of BoG financing for gold purchase progra...
"Cancel proposed royal visit of Akuapem chief to Dodowa" — Shai youth appeal
Police probe dynamite explosion at tailings site in Aboso
Rent Control Commission, GTA close two Koforidua hostels over poor sanitation
IMF urges BoG to end quasi-fiscal activities after GH¢22bn losses from gold prog...
APP calls for boycott of NPP’s ‘Ghana Under Attack’ demo, says democracy remains...
