• Four individuals, including two Russians, have been arrested in Paris for alleged spying.
• One suspect was observed posting pro-Russian propaganda at the Arc de Triomphe.
• The investigation centers on the SOS Donbass association, purportedly a humanitarian group.

French authorities have arrested four individuals on suspicion of spying for Russia and promoting pro-Kremlin war propaganda. Among those detained are two Russian nationals and a woman who heads the French-Russian association known as SOS Donbass, which claims to support humanitarian efforts in eastern Ukraine. The arrests are part of a growing concern regarding Russian espionage activities across Europe, particularly amid the ongoing Ukraine conflict, according to Channel News Asia and Le Monde.

One of the key suspects, a 40-year-old Russian man, was captured on surveillance while placing pro-Russian posters on the iconic Arc de Triomphe, capitalizing on the monument's visibility to enhance his propaganda efforts. The leader of SOS Donbass, also aged 40 and a Russian national, is suspected of trying to acquire economic information from French executives, with her activities monitored by the General Directorate for Internal Security (DGSI) since early 2025, according to AA and Al Jazeera.

French authorities stated that actions by these individuals posed "actions likely to harm the fundamental interests of the nation." This has led to judicial inquiries into suspected offenses such as collusion with a foreign power, a serious charge carrying sharply defined penalties. The investigation into SOS Donbass aligns with broader European worries regarding Moscow's covert operations and influence strategies, illustrating the heightened scrutiny in the context of the Russian-Ukraine war, according to Reuters and Channel News Asia.