French authorities have arrested three individuals in Paris suspected of espionage and acting on behalf of Russia, associated with the French-Russian organization SOS Donbass, amid concerns over Russian interference linked to the war in Ukraine. One detainee, a 40-year-old Russian man, was filmed posting pro-Russian propaganda at the Arc de Triomphe in September 2025. This individual reported to the head of SOS Donbass, a 40-year-old Russian-born woman under French counterintelligence surveillance since early 2025 and suspected of attempting to acquire financial information from French executives. The General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) identified activities deemed harmful to French national interests, resulting in a judicial investigation for offenses including collusion with a foreign power, carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. The third arrested person is a 63-year-old man born in Seine-Saint-Denis, northern Paris suburb. A fourth suspect aged 58 is under strict police supervision but not detained pre-trial. SOS Donbass is presented as a humanitarian group aiding civilians in the Donbas region controlled partially by Russia. The arrests highlight ongoing concerns surrounding Russian espionage and influence operations in Europe related to the conflict in Ukraine.

French authorities have arrested three individuals in Paris suspected of espionage and acting on behalf of Russia, associated with the French-Russian organization SOS Donbass, amid concerns over Russian interference linked to the war in Ukraine. One detainee, a 40-year-old Russian man, was filmed posting pro-Russian propaganda at the Arc de Triomphe in September 2025. This individual reported to the head of SOS Donbass, a 40-year-old Russian-born woman under French counterintelligence surveillance since early 2025 and suspected of attempting to acquire financial information from French executives. The General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) identified activities deemed harmful to French national interests, resulting in a judicial investigation for offenses including collusion with a foreign power, carrying a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment. The third arrested person is a 63-year-old man born in Seine-Saint-Denis, northern Paris suburb. A fourth suspect aged 58 is under strict police supervision but not detained pre-trial. SOS Donbass is presented as a humanitarian group aiding civilians in the Donbas region controlled partially by Russia. The arrests highlight ongoing concerns surrounding Russian espionage and influence operations in Europe related to the conflict in Ukraine.