A chilling act of vandalism shook Paris last year when hundreds of blood-red handprints appeared on the city’s Holocaust Memorial, a site honoring those who risked everything to save Jewish lives during World War II. The shocking imagery initially sparked concern over rising antisemitism fueled by global conflicts, but the truth proved far more sinister.
French intelligence agencies uncovered a disturbing connection: the graffiti wasn’t a spontaneous outburst of hate, but a calculated move in a broader destabilization campaign orchestrated by Russia. Four Bulgarians now face prison sentences – between two and four years – for their roles in the act, revealing a network of paid proxies working to sow discord within French society.
Georgi Filipov and Kiril Milushev, admitting their involvement, received two-year sentences. Nikolay Ivanov, accused of recruiting the pair, was sentenced to four years. The alleged mastermind, Mircho Angelov, remains at large, facing a three-year prison term in absentia. Their actions weren’t born of conviction, but of payment, a chilling testament to the lengths Russia is accused of going to in its efforts to undermine European stability.
Court documents detail a strategy of exploiting existing tensions, stoking social unrest, and spreading misinformation. This isn’t an isolated incident; European governments have increasingly pointed to Russia’s involvement in a pattern of sabotage, including vandalism, arson, and even attempted bombings. The court emphasized that while foreign interference was a factor, it didn’t diminish the individual responsibility of those who carried out the act.
The Paris Holocaust Memorial and the League Against Racism and Antisemitism were among the plaintiffs in the case, underscoring the profound impact of the desecration. Both Filipov and Milushev expressed remorse, confessing they were paid by Angelov to deface the memorial and document their actions. Ivanov, however, maintained his innocence, claiming he only provided logistical support at Angelov’s request and denied any pro-Russian sympathies.
The red handprints are just one piece of a disturbing puzzle. In October 2023, shortly after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, blue Stars of David mysteriously appeared on buildings across Paris, prompting accusations of Russian security services deliberately stirring controversy. Two Moldovans were detained and deported in connection with that incident.
The unsettling pattern continued into 2024. Five coffins, emblazoned with references to Ukraine, were discovered at the base of the Eiffel Tower ahead of a visit by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A warrant has been issued for the arrest of three suspects – from Bulgaria, Germany, and Ukraine – linked to this provocative display. Days later, more unusual graffiti referencing Ukraine appeared as Zelenskyy met with then-U.S. President Joe Biden.
Most recently, last month, severed pigs’ heads were found near nine mosques in the Paris area, five of which bore the name of President Macron. Investigations are ongoing, but the incidents collectively paint a disturbing picture of a deliberate and escalating campaign to destabilize France and exploit societal vulnerabilities. These acts represent a new front in a silent war, fought not with weapons, but with calculated chaos.
