Raphaël Glucksmann, a potential candidate in France's 2027 presidential election, announced on 4 August that he was targeted by a Russian disinformation operation aimed at destabilising the race. Glucksmann said the General Secretariat for Defence and National Security (SGDSN) informed him of an attack attributed to Storm-1516, a propaganda network linked to Russia's GRU military intelligence.
The group allegedly created a fake news site mimicking the outlet Blast, usurping journalists' identities, forging documents, and deploying AI-generated voice clones and a manipulated video involving broadcaster Léa Salamé and Mediapart's Edwy Plenel. Both Plenel and Blast's Salomé Saqué denounced the fabricated material.
Jean-Luc Mélenchon called for collective protection against such destabilisation campaigns. The same network previously targeted former prime minister Édouard Philippe in late July with false health claims. Glucksmann is expected to announce his presidential intentions before the end of summer.