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Anna Novikova. Photo: Le Parisien
French authorities have taken into custody the leaders of the “SOS Donbass” association — founder Anna Novikova and current president Vincent Perfetti — on suspicion of spying for Russia under the cover of humanitarian work, according to a report by newspaper Le Parisien.
The French outlet identified the two only as “Anna N.” and “Vincent P.” However, The Insider confirmed their identities using information published by SOS Donbass itself, which lists Novikova as the group’s founder and Perfetti as its current head. Open-source materials, including the association’s own announcements and reports in pro-Russian media, routinely feature Perfetti as its president. He publicly promoted “humanitarian convoys” to Donbas and appeared at pro-Russian rallies in France.
According to Le Parisien, France’s domestic intelligence agency, the DGSI, carried out the arrests on Nov. 17 after several months of covert surveillance. Following 96 hours in custody, Novikova and Perfetti were charged with “conspiracy with a foreign power,” “collecting information on national interests on behalf of a foreign state,” and “forming a criminal association to commit an offense.” Both were placed in pretrial detention.
The investigation centers on SOS Donbass, which Novikova established as a humanitarian group claiming to aid residents of eastern Ukraine. DGSI investigators believe the group may have served as cover for influence operations and contacts with Russian intelligence. Trips to occupied areas and participation in the group’s missions allegedly allowed the suspects to meet Russian officials and military officers who, prosecutors say, recruited them to work for Moscow.
Investigators view SOS Donbass as a potential component of a broader network of “humanitarian” NGOs that Russia may be using to advance its interests in France. Case files suggest that aid convoys and donation drives may have been used to transmit information or coordinate with Russian handlers.
Both suspects deny wrongdoing and describe themselves simply as pro-Russian activists. But according to Le Parisien, DGSI has evidence of sustained contacts between Novikova, Perfetti, and representatives of Russian government bodies, including military officials — a key factor in the decision to detain them.
A third person is also implicated in the case: a Ukrainian-French activist identified as Vyacheslav P., who is also linked to SOS Donbass. He has not been charged with espionage, instead facing counts of “damage to public property in connection with a foreign state” and “participation in a criminal association.” His alleged offense involved putting up pro-Russian posters on the Arc de Triomphe.
The DGSI investigation aims to determine what information the suspects may have passed to Moscow and whether they had accomplices within a wider pro-Russian influence network operating in France.