Paris: French law enforcement arrested four individuals on Wednesday in a sweeping counter-espionage investigation. Authorities suspect the group of spying for a foreign power and conducting covert activity that may undermine national security.
According to the Paris prosecutor’s office, one of those detained is a dual French-Russian national, identified only as “Anna N.” She had been under surveillance by France’s domestic security agency, DGSI, since early 2025 amid suspicions she was gathering sensitive economic information from executives at multiple French companies. Along with her, two French-born individuals named as Vincent P and Bernard F and a Russian national, Vyacheslav P, were also taken into custody.
Investigators say the case is tied to SOS Donbass, an organization presenting itself as Franco-Russian and purportedly engaged in humanitarian aid. French security services, however, suspect the group may have been acting as a conduit for espionage and propaganda efforts on behalf of a foreign power. According to prosecutors, various suspects faced charges including providing intelligence to a foreign power and collusion offences that carry severe sentences under French law.
The arrests come at a time of heightened concern across Europe over foreign influence, covert networks, and espionage operations linked to geopolitical tensions. French authorities stated the investigation is ongoing as they work to unravel the full extent of the alleged network’s activities.