Pro-Putin propaganda spreads in Europe: posters sighted in France

The scale of a propaganda campaign that promotes Russia and Kremlin dictator Vladimir Putin is growing across Europe. After propaganda posters were spotted in Italy, they have now made their way to France, featuring street advertisements urging people not to view Russia as an enemy. 

Volodymyr Kogutyak, UWC Vice President for Western Europe and Association of Ukrainians in France (AUF) Vice President, reported sightings of these posters in several French cities, including Paris, Lyon, Nantes, Tarbes, and Corsica. 

“Russia continues to destabilize French society. Recently, the association SOS Donbas, currently under investigation for its activities related to the AUF, has been illegally posting Russian propaganda,” Kogutyak stated.

Ukrainian communities in France have already appealed to local authorities to prevent the dissemination of Russian propaganda.

“I thank the Ukrainian community in France and friends of Ukraine who tirelessly work to dismantle Russian propaganda in the country,” said Kogutyak.

The UWC Vice President also addressed Ukrainians: “This advertising is illegal, so we encourage you to tear it down.”

Previously, similar street advertisements were placed in dozens of cities and villages in northern Italy. Tamara Pozdnyakova, Honorary Vice President with voting rights of the Lastivka Social Promotion Association, said in a comment to the UWC that pro-Russian organizations had pressured local authorities after the posters were removed from the streets.