France expels Russian commentator amid propaganda concerns
France expels Russian commentator Fedorova amid propaganda concerns; expulsion order under legal appeal.
Event / Geopolitics
Russia Propaganda Enforcement France
French government freezes assets of and issues expulsion order against Russian commentator Xenia Fedorova, accusing her of spreading Russian propaganda and interfering in French affairs; she appeals the expulsion while her employers defend her freedom of expression rights.
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2026-08-14 to 2026-11-11 · UTC publication dates
Coverage begins 31 Jul, 08:18 UTC
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What happened
Xenia Fedorova files appeal against expulsion order
Xenia Fedorova filed a legal appeal against her expulsion order. Her employers, media groups Canal+ and Lagardère, issued a statement denouncing the expulsion as a serious violation of freedom of expression and media pluralism.
French Interior Minister denies expulsion order violates freedom of expression
Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez stated on July 30, 2026 that the expulsion order against Xenia Fedorova is not a violation of freedom of expression but rather addresses fundamental threats to national security. He accused Fedorova of relaying Russian propaganda aimed at undermining democratic functioning in France, characterizing her actions as foreign interference.
French government freezes assets of Russian commentator Xenia Fedorova
The French government froze the assets of Russian commentator Xenia Fedorova for six months through an order issued by the Ministers of Economy and Interior on July 31, 2026. The freeze applies to all funds and economic resources she controls directly or indirectly, as well as entities she owns or controls. The measure is renewable and was enacted under the July 25, 2024 law aimed at preventing foreign interference in France.
Xenia Fedorova issued expulsion order by French Interior Ministry
The French Interior Ministry issued an expulsion order against Xenia Fedorova, a Russian commentator, on July 29, 2026. The order accuses her of being a relay for Russian disinformation campaigns orchestrated by Russian authorities and of destabilizing public order in France. She is assigned to residence and must report daily to a police station pending her expulsion.
Xenia Fedorova previously headed Russia Today France
Xenia Fedorova is a 45-year-old Russian national who formerly served as head of Russia Today (RT) France. RT France was banned from the EU in March 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. She has regularly defended Kremlin positions in French media, particularly within outlets controlled by conservative billionaire Vincent Bolloré, including CNews, Europe 1, and JDNews.
Xenia Fedorova's residency permit renewed for ten years in 2024
In May 2026, it was revealed that Xenia Fedorova's residency permit had been renewed for ten years in 2024, triggering controversy. A Le Monde article reported her growing influence on billionaire Vincent Bolloré, raising questions about her role in French media.
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