PARIS: Le Monde says an anonymous French defence source acknowledged that Paris is already carrying out undisclosed operations linked to Russia, while Macron briefs political leaders on Moscow’s alleged hybrid activities across Europe

France is reportedly conducting secret military operations linked to Russia, according to a report by French newspaper Le Monde citing an anonymous source within the French Ministry of Defence.

The reported disclosure comes amid growing tensions between Paris and Moscow and heightened concerns in France and other European countries over alleged Russian cyberattacks, disinformation campaigns, sabotage and other forms of what European governments describe as hybrid activity.

According to Le Monde, a senior French defence source was asked whether France could respond militarily to Russian actions without publicly declaring such operations.

The source reportedly replied: This is already happening.

The statement, if accurately reported, would indicate that France has moved beyond publicly warning about possible Russian hybrid threats to conducting undisclosed countermeasures.

However, the precise nature, location and scope of the reported French operations remain unclear.

Le Monde reportedly did not provide details that would establish exactly where or how the operations are being conducted.

Possible areas mentioned in the reporting include activities inside Russia, operations connected to the war in Ukraine, cyberspace, efforts against Russian influence networks and countermeasures targeting suspected sabotage operations in Europe.

The report did not publicly identify specific missions, targets or units involved.

Consequently, the claim that France is conducting secret military operations should be understood in the context of the reported anonymous-source disclosure rather than as a detailed public account of French military activities.

The source’s reported comments also did not amount to a formal declaration that France is at war with Russia.

The reported development comes against the backdrop of growing European concerns about activities attributed to Russia beyond conventional military operations in Ukraine.

These alleged activities include cyberattacks, disinformation, sabotage and attempts to target critical infrastructure.

France has increasingly warned about the broader security implications of what European governments describe as Russian hybrid warfare.

The reported French operations could therefore encompass a range of activities rather than conventional battlefield operations.

Without official details from the French government, it remains impossible to independently determine the scale or location of any such activities.

The report also said French President Emmanuel Macron recently convened political leaders and presidential candidates at the Élysée Palace for a closed-door briefing on the Russian hybrid threat.

According to Le Monde, participants were briefed about what French authorities regard as an increase in Russian shadow operations across Europe.

The alleged activities reportedly include cyber operations, disinformation, sabotage and attempts to interfere with critical infrastructure.

The meeting reflects growing concern among French political leaders over the possibility that the confrontation between Russia and European countries could extend beyond the battlefield in Ukraine.

The reported briefing also drew attention because of the reaction of prominent French politicians Marine Le Pen and Jordan Bardella.

According to the report, the two leaders adopted a tougher position toward Moscow following the discussions.

Le Pen and Bardella reportedly criticized what they described as Russian pressure on France after the Russian-owned retailer Auchan was placed under external administration.

They characterized the development as hostile and argued that Moscow should not be able to influence French policy through threats, destabilization or pressure directed at French companies.

Their reported position represents a significant political development within France’s debate over relations with Moscow, particularly as European political parties continue to differ over how governments should respond to Russia.

Despite the reported comments from the French defence source, French authorities have not publicly provided details of the alleged operations.

There is also no publicly available information in the report establishing whether the activities involve intelligence operations, cyber operations, support for Ukrainian operations, counter-sabotage activities or other forms of military and security action.

That distinction is important because the term military operations can encompass activities that do not involve conventional combat between French and Russian forces

The reported comments therefore provide limited information about what France may actually be doing.

The report nevertheless points to a potentially significant development in relations between Paris and Moscow.

France has been one of the European countries calling for stronger measures to counter threats linked to Russia, while Moscow and European governments have remained sharply divided over the war in Ukraine and broader European security.

If the Le Monde report is accurate, the reported French activities would represent an expansion of Paris’ response beyond public diplomatic statements and conventional assistance to Ukraine.

For now, however, the details remain undisclosed.

The French government has not publicly acknowledged specific operations against Russia, and the reported information is based largely on an anonymous defence source cited by Le Monde.