During the months of July and August, disinformation campaigns originating from Russia were uncovered targeting several prominent French political figures, including Édouard Philippe, Gabriel Attal, and Raphaël Glucksmann. These campaigns involved the spread of false or misleading information intended to influence public opinion or destabilize political processes. Mihail Ivanov, a journalist based in Paris who works for the Bulgarian edition of the German public radio station Deutsche Welle and also for Bulgaria’s public television (BNT), has suggested that such hybrid attacks—combining traditional and digital tactics to manipulate information—are likely to increase as France approaches its next presidential election in 2024. Ivanov explained that it was not unexpected for Russian interference to focus on center-left and centrist figures like Philippe, Attal, and Glucksmann, rather than candidates from more extreme political parties such as La France insoumise (LFI) or the Rassemblement national (RN). These parties, often described as "extreme," have taken positions that are more favorable toward resuming negotiations with Russia and ending sanctions imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ivanov pointed out that this pattern of targeting reflects broader Russian strategic interests, which tend to focus on influencing political processes in ways that could weaken Western unity or create divisions. According to Ivanov, while the LFI and RN candidates have not been the primary targets of these hybrid attacks so far, they are not entirely immune to such tactics in the future. He emphasized that Russian disinformation efforts are often tailored to exploit existing political divides or amplify certain narratives that align with Moscow’s goals. These campaigns may include the use of social media platforms, fake news websites, or even coordinated fake accounts to spread misleading content. The revelation of these disinformation efforts has raised concerns about the integrity of France’s political discourse and the potential impact on its upcoming elections. Experts like Ivanov suggest that monitoring and countering such hybrid threats will be crucial in maintaining the stability of democratic processes. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the French government and media will likely need to remain vigilant against any attempts to manipulate public opinion through disinformation.