Yesterday at 19:55
France’s Chief of Defense Staff, General Thierry Burkhard, believes that Russia poses a long-term and large-scale threat to the country, and that the Kremlin has designated France as “one of its priority targets.”
As reported by BFMTV, the general made these remarks during a rare press conference.
Thierry Burkhard emphasized that Russia is involved in nearly all threats facing France and represents “a long-lasting, close, and highly multidimensional threat.”
“The Kremlin has identified France as one of its priority targets,” he stated.
The general noted that the Russian threat is present across all domains — in the air, space, sea, and cyberspace.
“The Russians are advancing in a covert manner,” Burkhard remarked.
He expressed concern about the activity of Russian submarines and signs that Russia is seeking to militarize space technologies — particularly the use of specialized satellites.
The general claimed that Russia is effectively already waging a hybrid war against France on multiple fronts.
As examples, he pointed to anti-French disinformation campaigns in Africa, hostile actions inside France involving agents and information operations — such as the incident involving Stars of David painted on buildings in Paris, mock coffins labeled with “French soldiers” placed near the Eiffel Tower, and graffiti on buildings amid discussions of potential support for Ukraine. He also cited efforts to incite panic over bedbugs in public spaces in the months leading up to the Olympic Games.
Burkhard added that France is also facing ongoing espionage activities.
He also mentioned unfriendly actions from China, specifically highlighting disinformation campaigns aimed at discrediting the French defense industry.
According to the general, France’s adversaries primarily aim their influence operations at undermining national cohesion, with disinformation being the most widespread tool. He stressed that such threats are difficult to counter and even harder to officially attribute.
