The French media outlet TF1 revealed that the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not renew the diplomatic accreditation of Alexander Makogonov, the head of the press office at the Russian Embassy in Paris.
As a result, Makogonov has been sent back to Moscow. His departure marks the end of a controversial yet influential media presence in France, particularly among pro-Russian circles who lament his departure.
Makogonov’s departure shows that France has increased its efforts to combat Russian influence operations in the media. It marks for Russia the loss of an influential figure in its propaganda activities in France.
Makogonov’s career path and controversy in France
Makogonov’s career took a decisive turn on June 4, 2024, when he made a provocative statement on BFM TV regarding French military instructors in Ukraine.
He suggested that if these instructors were training Ukrainian soldiers “to better target and kill Russians,” they would themselves become legitimate targets.
This thinly veiled threat sent shockwaves through international media, drawing swift condemnation from the French Foreign Ministry.
Unlike many Russian propagandists who embrace an overtly aggressive or ideological stance, Makogonov cultivated an image that diverged from the traditional mold.
His polished appearance and charming persona set him apart from figures like Elena Karaeva and Alexei Pushkov, who have been more associated with combative rhetoric. François Asselineau, a well-known pro-Russian French political figure, lauded Makogonov as a “brilliant francophone whose arguments resonated on BFMTV.”
His media-savvy tactics made him an effective, though controversial, spokesperson—more a soldier in the Kremlin’s information war than a mere diplomat.
Diplomatic path concealing Russian propaganda
After graduating from the prestigious Moscow State Institute of International Relations, he arrived in France in 2006. Initially, he worked in the embassy’s cultural section, organizing various events aimed at promoting Russian influence in France.
By 2015, Makogonov had risen to the role of Second Secretary of the Russian Embassy and was part of the Russian delegation at the Paris Climate Conference. His sudden prominence in non-cultural matters hinted at his real vocation—intelligence work.
Makogonov was regularly seen accompanying the Russian ambassador to high-level meetings, including a notable 2016 trip to Monaco to meet Prime Minister Serge Telle. His frequent presence in Monaco, often staying at luxurious venues like the Fairmont Monte-Carlo, further suggests that his work went beyond mere cultural diplomacy.
Many speculated that his true mission involved monitoring the Russian expatriate community in South France and Monaco, a region with a significant number of wealthy Russians.
Before assuming the role of embassy spokesperson in 2019, Makogonov’s only media experience was with a relatively obscure magazine, Russian Roulette, based in London but targeting a French-speaking audience.
A key contributor to the Russian Roulette magazine was Oleg Nechiporenko, a former KGB colonel with a long history of espionage. Nechiporenko’s past involvement in the 1963 meeting with Lee Harvey Oswald and his role in Soviet propaganda efforts during the Cold War put him at the heart of the KGB’s public relations machinery. His unexpected appearance in a glossy magazine seemed incongruous until one considers the broader strategy of Russia’s global influence operations, as reported by “Desk Russie”.
Although Makogonov never contributed articles to the magazine, he was a regular attendee at its social events. His participation even extended to a 2016 photoshoot, “The Stranger,” in which he posed alongside a model, projecting an image more fitting for a celebrity than a diplomat.
Pro-Russian narratives promoted by Makogonov
Makogonov promoted narratives aligned with the Kremlin’s position during his appearances on prominent French outlets, such as BFMTV.
His interviews often downplayed Russia’s role in geopolitical events, mocking accusations of Russian interference in Western countries.
When confronted with facts about Russia’s trace in operations abroad, such as the Skripal poisoning or the demonstrations with coffins of French soldiers in Paris, he deflected, remarking, “You might as well accuse Russia of the Titanic catastrophe.”
In interviews, Makogonov utilized Kremlin terminology, refusing to acknowledge Ukraine’s government (by calling it “a Kyiv regime”) and referring to Russia’s war as a “special military operation.”
He echoed familiar nuclear blackmail by warning of a risk of a World War III with the use of nuclear weapons between world powers, invoking the fear of “red lines.” He also brushed off Western concerns over the poisoning of opposition leader Alexei Navalny, categorizing it as a purely internal matter of Russia.
Makogonov frequently defended Vladimir Putin, claiming that it had become trendy to accuse the Russian president of any wrongdoing.
He boasted of Putin’s election victory, claiming that Western leaders could only envy the Russian president’s level of popular support. He said, “The Russian people have united behind their leader, fully supporting the course and the policies he has been implementing.” This, according to Makogonov, demonstrated Russia’s strong internal cohesion.
Kremlin lost an influential figure in France
Makogonov also asserted that Russia was a loyal ally to France, at one point claiming, “France has never had a more reliable partner than Russia.” Additionally, when asked about the possibility of a ceasefire during the Paris Olympic Games in the Russia-Ukraine war, he rejected the idea, arguing that it would only benefit the “Kyiv regime.”
France has increased its efforts to combat Russian influence operations within its borders, leading to the expulsion of Makogonov, a highly skilled proponent of Kremlin narratives. His departure marks the Kremlin’s loss of a figure who expertly navigated France’s top media platforms, promoting Russian propaganda.
