European readers are being deceived through false reports, attributed to publications with international renown. The number of such cases has skyrocketed since the beginning of the year, 2026, according to the organization NewsGuard.
Only in France, against the backdrop of the upcoming presidential elections, at least 85 false reports related to the vote have been recorded. The materials began to be broadcast from the summer.
The phenomenon has intensified especially after the war in Ukraine started, but it escalated in the first half of 2026, writes Agerpres. If a year ago only 44 cases were reported, their number has now reached 421.
NewsGuard – an organization that analyzes the reliability of websites and online content, has identified about 906 reports produced as part of Russian influence operations since 2022, by usurping the identity of media institutions. The image of Euronews is most often used (82 false reports), followed by Liberation (39), Charlie Hebdo (35), and Agence France Presse (20). Other frequently targeted media sources include the BBC, Deutsche Welle, and Politico.
Usually, the logos and graphic elements of publications are used, and in some cases, a website address close to the original one is created. The narratives are more varied and can refer to false accusations of child pornography, threatening or insulting statements, the ultimate goal being to undermine trust in the media.
