French authorities have issued a ministerial expulsion order against Xenia Fedorova, a former director of the Russian state-funded channel RT (formerly Russia Today), according to the French Interior Ministry. The order was served on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, and targets a figure whom some political and media voices have labeled the “Voice of the Kremlin.”
Background of the Case
Fedorova previously served as director of RT, a channel that was shut down in 2023 after European sanctions were imposed in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. In recent years, she has appeared as a regular commentator on several media outlets owned by the Bolloré group, a French media conglomerate. Her commentary has drawn accusations from certain political and media figures that she is relaying Kremlin propaganda.
Legal and Political Context
The expulsion order, confirmed by the French Interior Ministry to AFP, represents a significant escalation in the French government’s response to individuals it views as promoting Russian state narratives. The move comes amid ongoing tensions between European nations and Moscow, with several EU member states taking steps to counter what they describe as disinformation campaigns linked to the Kremlin.
Fedorova’s case highlights the broader European effort to address the influence of Russian state media and its former employees, particularly after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine prompted a wave of sanctions and broadcast bans across the continent. The French government’s action against a former RT director signals that such scrutiny extends beyond the organizations themselves to individuals associated with them.
What Happens Next
As of July 30, 2026, the day after the order was served, the specific timeline for Fedorova’s departure from France or any legal recourse available to her has not been detailed in the available material. The Interior Ministry’s announcement did not address whether Fedorova plans to challenge the order or what specific legal grounds were cited for the expulsion.
The case is likely to draw continued attention from free-speech advocates and national security officials alike, as European governments balance concerns about foreign interference with protections for political expression.
