France orders expulsion of former RT France director Xenia Fedorova
On 29 July 2026 the French Interior Ministry issued a ministerial expulsion order against Xenia Fedorova, the former head of the Russian state‑funded broadcaster RT France. The decree states that her conduct “attacks the fundamental interests of the State” and that her presence in France “constitutes a particularly grave and current threat to public order.” French officials allege she serves as a conduit for Kremlin‑directed disinformation campaigns intended to destabilise French society and undermine confidence in European institutions.
Fedorova, a 45‑year‑old journalist, continues to appear on the conservative media group of billionaire Vincent Bolloré – notably CNews, Europe 1, and the weekly Le Journal du Dimanche – where she repeats Russia‑friendly narratives on the Ukraine war and Western policies. The order places her under house arrest, requiring daily police check‑ins, and she has announced an immediate appeal. The measure comes as France prepares for the 2027 presidential election, with authorities keen to curb perceived foreign influence. She is also barred from entering Germany.
Entities: CNews · Emmanuel Piwnica · French interior ministry · Laurent Nunez · Libération · RT France · Vincent Bolloré · Xenia Fedorova
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 13 SOURCES] The expulsion order states her behaviour threatens the fundamental interests of the State and endangers public order. (2026-07-29)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Fedorova works as a regular commentator on CNews and other Vincent Bolloré media outlets. (Stated in each article describing her current media activities.)
- [● 14 SOURCES] Xenia Fedorova is banned from entering Germany. (existing)
- [● 2 SOURCES] The European Commission suspended Kremlin‑funded media outlets in the EU after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. (Reported in the articles as the basis for RT France’s ban.)
- [● 13 SOURCES] Xenia Fedorova is the former head of RT France. (2022‑2023)
- [● 13 SOURCES] RT France’s accounts were frozen and the channel closed in January 2023 following EU sanctions. (2023‑01‑XX)
- [● 11 SOURCES] Fedorova plans to file an immediate appeal against the expulsion order. (existing)
- [● 4 SOURCES] The French Ministry of the Interior issued a ministerial order to expel Xenia Fedorova. (Official French interior ministry decree cited by all four articles.)
- [● 5 SOURCES] Disinformation experts warned about Fedorova’s influence ahead of France’s presidential election next year. (Experts cited in reports)
- [● 16 SOURCES] The expulsion order alleges Fedorova acted as a conduit for Kremlin‑directed disinformation campaigns intended to destabilise public order in France. (existing)
- [● 13 SOURCES] Fedorova’s lawyer Emmanuel Piwnica said she will immediately lodge an appeal against the deportation order. (2026)
- [● 8 SOURCES] Xenia Fedorova was former head of RT France. (existing)