France Orders Deportation of Former RT France Editor Ksenia Fedorova

France's Interior Ministry issued a deportation order on July 29, 2026, against Ksenia Fedorova, former editor-in-chief of RT France, citing her role in spreading Kremlin disinformation and destabilizing French public trust in institutions. Fedorova, now working for media outlets owned by billionaire Vincent Bolloré, plans to appeal the decision, with her lawyer calling it an attack on freedom of speech.

Quick Facts

Deportation order issued against Fedorova
Fedorova accused of spreading Russian state disinformation
RT France ceased broadcasting operations
Fedorova joined French right-wing media outlets (CNews, Europe 1, Le Journal du Dimanche)
Fedorova published memoir 'Bannie. Liberté d'expression sous condition'

France's Interior Ministry issued a deportation order on July 29, 2026, against Ksenia Fedorova, the former editor-in-chief of RT France, accusing her of spreading Kremlin-directed disinformation and undermining public confidence in French institutions. The order, delivered to her lawyer by Paris police, states that Fedorova's behavior "damages fundamental state interests" and her presence in France "represents an extremely serious and current threat to public order."

RT France ceased broadcasting in January 2023 following European Union sanctions against the channel, but Fedorova remained in the country. She subsequently joined French right-wing media outlets owned by billionaire Vincent Bolloré, including CNews television, Europe 1 radio, and Le Journal du Dimanche newspaper. According to the deportation order, Fedorova serves as a conduit for Russian state-directed disinformation campaigns aimed at manipulating French public opinion and destabilizing the country. French authorities cite her statements about the Bastille Day military parade in July 2026—in which she claimed France was preparing for direct conflict with Russia—as evidence of her role in spreading Russian state narratives.

Fedorova, a Russian citizen, has been placed under police surveillance and is required to report daily to a police station pending her departure. Her lawyer, Emmanuel Pivnica, announced immediate plans to appeal the decision, characterizing it as "a serious attack on freedom of speech" and arguing that Fedorova is a journalist who has "always properly performed her work." The media groups Canal+ and Lagardère, which collaborate with Fedorova, released a joint statement condemning the deportation order as a violation of press freedom and media pluralism.

French political figures, including President Emmanuel Macron, have long disputed Fedorova's status as a journalist. In 2017, Macron stated that Fedorova is not a journalist but a propagandist. In June 2026, he reaffirmed this position. Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barroé remarked in May 2026 that those providing Fedorova with airtime or print space "simply execute Putin's orders." In June 2026, lawmakers from the centrist Renew Europe faction in the European Parliament called for EU sanctions against Fedorova, describing her as a "well-known Russian propagandist."

Fedorova published a memoir titled "Bannie. Liberté d'expression sous condition" ("Banned. Freedom of Speech Under Conditions") through Fayard publishers, which is part of the Bolloré media empire. Disinformation experts have raised concerns about her influence in French media, particularly as France prepares for presidential elections in 2027. The deportation order represents a significant escalation in French government efforts to counter what it characterizes as coordinated Russian state disinformation operations within French media.

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Politics World

#French media #CNews #Russian disinformation #RT France #press freedom #France deportation #Kremlin propaganda #Ksenia Fedorova #Vincent Bolloré

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Why This Matters

A French government deportation order against a Russian citizen formerly employed by a state-sponsored broadcaster signals an escalation in state-level counter-disinformation enforcement ahead of France's 2027 presidential election. The order affects one individual's legal status in France and reflects official French position that certain media narratives targeting French public institutions originate from foreign state direction. The case involves tensions between national security measures and media freedom claims, with measurable stakes including enforcement of EU sanctions compliance, potential legal precedent for journalist/propagandist distinctions in deportation law, and ongoing French efforts to regulate foreign-directed media influence.

Timeline & Sources

Jan 1, 2017

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President Macron stated Fedorova is not a journalist but a propagandist

Jan 1, 2019

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RT editor-in-chief Margarita Simonyan reported receiving threats

Jul 14, 2026

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Bastille Day military parade held with 500+ personnel from 'Coalition of the Willing'; Fedorova made social media statements claiming France was preparing for war with Russia

Jul 29, 2026

Wire

French Interior Ministry issued deportation order against Fedorova; order delivered to her lawyer by Paris police

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