Russian Disinformation Network Storm-1516 Accused of Targeting French Presidential Candidate Édouard Philippe with Fake Health Claims
The Russian disinformation network Storm-1516 has been accused of spreading false claims about the health of former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, a declared candidate for the 2027 French presidential election, in an effort to interfere in the election.
A French security source told AFP that the Russian disinformation network Storm-1516 targeted former Prime Minister Édouard Philippe, one of the declared candidates for the French presidency, as part of an effort to interfere in France’s presidential election.
According to the source, false claims about Philippe’s health began circulating on social media this week. It remains unclear exactly what the posts alleged or how they were tied to the Storm-1516 network. The source stressed that this was the first such operation against a declared presidential candidate, adding that these campaigns often escape notice because they promote narratives that are easy to debunk.
The Russian disinformation network Storm-1516 has been active since 2023 and is believed to be linked to Russian military intelligence (the G.R.U.); its members include former employees of Yevgeny Prigozhin’s “troll factory.” The network has previously been accused of interfering in elections in the United States, Germany, and Hungary.
France will hold its presidential election in April 2027. President Emmanuel Macron is barred by law from seeking another term. Édouard Philippe announced his candidacy in September 2024 and currently serves as mayor of Le Havre. He served as France’s prime minister from 2017 to 2020, during Macron’s first term.
