On Wednesday, Radio France International (RFI) fell victim to a coordinated information attack when a false report claiming that France was facing a tuberculosis epidemic due to the admission of Ukrainian soldiers to its hospitals appeared online. The report was spread through various distribution channels, confirming that RFI was the target of a Russian disinformation campaign.
The video in question was first discovered by the Russian and International Services of RFI and has been circulating online since Wednesday. Despite claims that it was produced by the RFI editorial team, it turned out to be a fraudulent production not associated with RFI. The video was initially posted on the Russian Telegram account “Russia News” before being shared on various social media platforms.
The false narrative of the video, which claimed an “Ukrainian tuberculosis epidemic threatens France,” spread rapidly on Russian social media channels. This dissemination pattern, coupled with an anti-Ukrainian narrative and the impersonation of a legitimate media outlet, points to the origin of this information attack. Similar tactics have been employed in the past to target French and international media outlets.
The spread of misinformation is a common tactic used by disinformation networks to sow division, deepen societal chaos, and erode trust in institutions. The case of the false claims about Kate Middleton, which were amplified by a Russian disinformation operation, serves as a prime example of how such campaigns can exploit emotional reactions and manipulate public opinion for various motives. To combat these attacks effectively, it is crucial to engage in critical thinking and fact-checking efforts.