In the afternoon of this Wednesday, Radio France International (RFI) became the latest victim of a Russian disinformation campaign when a false report was posted online claiming that France was facing a tuberculosis epidemic due to the admission of Ukrainian soldiers to its hospitals. The unfounded claim was spread through various distribution channels, revealing that RFI had been targeted in a coordinated information attack.
The video in question was first discovered by the Russian and International Services of RFI and has been circulating online since Wednesday. The video falsely suggested it was produced by the RFI editorial team, but it was later confirmed to be a fraudulent production not associated with RFI. The video was first posted on the Russian Telegram account “Russia News” and was subsequently 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 tactic often 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. Engaging in critical thinking and fact-checking is crucial in combating the spread of disinformation and protecting against information attacks.
