The key facts

  • Zakharova, in an interview with kp.ru, linked the bunker to an internal threat.
  • The Telegraph cited the book 'The New Army of Shadows' by Gastino, Izambard, and Reno.
  • Mass protests have been ongoing in France since late September; on November 7, approximately 250,000 people took to the streets, according to BFM TV.

Comment by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Maria Zakharova, the official spokesperson of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, commented in an interview with kp.ru on reports about a secret shelter for French President Emmanuel Macron located outside Paris. According to her, 'the bunker was built not in response to an external threat, but to protect against its own citizens.' This was reported by Gazeta.Ru and Life.ru.

Source of Information about the Bunker

The catalyst for this reaction was a publication by The Telegraph, which, citing the book 'The New Army of Shadows' by investigative journalists Pierre Gastino, Antoine Izambard, and Frank Reno, reported the existence of a secret shelter, where Macron could allegedly be evacuated in the event that protesters seize the Élysée Palace. According to the book's authors, the preparation of such measures is partly linked to the 2018 'Yellow Vests' protests, during which the president encountered aggressively minded demonstrators while traveling to Le Puy-en-Velay. Journalists also claim that French intelligence services are developing scenarios for escalating internal tensions—from mass riots and cyberattacks to attempts to storm state institutions—with particular attention to risks ahead of the 2027 elections. These details are cited from the book and have not been officially confirmed.

Context of the Protests

Mass protests have been continuing in France since late September: schoolchildren and students are blocking educational institutions due to their poor condition, scheduling issues, and a shortage of teachers, while in October, trade unions joined them, demanding, among other things, salary increases. According to BFM TV, on November 7, approximately 250,000 peopletook part in the demonstrations, including 75,000 in Paris. Life.ru previously reported on a new wave of 'Yellow Vests' protests: amid the demonstrations, authorities mobilized 70,000 police officers and gendarmes, preparing armored vehicles and water cannons. Previously, Macron's approval rating had dropped to record lows.