Paris: France this week ordered the deportation of Xenia Fedorova, the former head of RT France, the French-language branch of Russia’s state-funded broadcaster RT, citing concerns over her alleged role in promoting Russian disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilising public order.
The expulsion order was issued by France’s Ministry of the Interior, according to French media reports, which said authorities accused Fedorova of facilitating information operations linked to the Russian government.
Fedorova served as head of RT France from 2017 until 2023. The broadcaster ceased operations in France following the European Union’s sanctions against Russian state media imposed after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Despite the closure of RT France, Fedorova remained in the country and continued working as a political commentator for media outlets owned by French businessman Vincent Bolloré. She has regularly appeared on the television channel CNews, contributed to Europe 1 radio and written opinion pieces for Le Journal du Dimanche.
French authorities allege that her media activities continued to promote narratives aligned with Russian state interests regarding the war in Ukraine and Moscow’s relations with Western countries.
Fedorova’s lawyer, Emmanuel Piwnica, said the deportation order would be challenged immediately through the French legal system.
The move comes as France and other European countries continue to tighten measures against Russian state-backed media and influence operations following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine.
Earlier this year, France’s Audiovisual and Digital Communication Regulatory Authority (ARCOM) blocked access to dozens of websites associated with Russian media organisations and broadcasters in line with European Union sanctions targeting Russian state-controlled media.
Western governments have repeatedly accused Moscow of using state-funded media platforms and coordinated information campaigns to influence public opinion, interfere in democratic processes and spread disinformation across Europe and other regions. Russia has consistently rejected such allegations, maintaining that its international media outlets provide alternative perspectives on global events.
