French authorities have issued a deportation order against Xenia Fedorova, a Russian author and television commentator known for her pro-Kremlin viewpoints. Fedorova, 45, has been active on media platforms owned by French billionaire Vincent Bolloré, including the conservative news channel CNews.

Previously, Fedorova managed the French branch of Russia Today, a state-supported Russian news outlet, until it was shut down by the French government following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Since then, she has frequently appeared on CNews, hosting a program focused on Christian values and providing commentary on current events. Her statements often aligned with Russian narratives, including claims that Europe provoked Russia’s military actions, referring to the conflict as a “special operation,” and accusing the Baltic states of glorifying Nazism.

The deportation order emerged on July 29, according to an official from the French interior ministry, who confirmed that Fedorova’s lawyer was formally presented with the ministerial expulsion directive. The order immediately revoked her residency permit in France, placed her under house arrest, and mandated daily reporting to French authorities.

French officials justified the decision by citing concerns that Fedorova’s broadcasts serve as channels for disinformation campaigns orchestrated by Russian authorities. A statement accompanying the order emphasized that her dissemination of these narratives was considered a threat to information integrity.

Vincent Bolloré, a media mogul who owns several outlets across France including CNews, Canal+, and Hachette Books, has cultivated a media empire promoting what he describes as a defense of Western civilization. Bolloré is a noted conservative Catholic who has shaped his media investments around these ideological commitments.

Fedorova’s lawyer, Emmanuel Piwnica, challenged the deportation, describing her as a journalist and announcing plans to appeal the decision. Representatives from CNews and Lagardère also condemned the move, warning that it posed a serious threat to freedom of expression and the diversity of viewpoints within the French media landscape.

The case highlights ongoing tensions between French authorities and media figures perceived to be spreading Russian state narratives amid broader concerns about misinformation related to the war in Ukraine.