The Paris City Council refuted this information. Such an idea was never discussed.
A number of Russian media, as well as social media users, are spreading the news that the Paris city authorities have allegedly decided to rename the Aval bridge to the Red Army bridge.
«It is noted that the decision was made to pay tribute to the Red Army and its important role in the victory over Nazi Germany,» — propaganda sources state.
The topic of World War II occupies a special place in the Kremlin’s propaganda, which is amplified in May, when Russia celebrates Victory Day and Europe celebrates the Day of Remembrance and Reconciliation. In this context, disinformation narratives increase about Europe supporting propaganda campaigns such as the Immortal Regiment or about «evidence» of Europe supporting the Russian perspective on history, in particular, the role of the Soviet army in ending World War II.
The news that Paris plans to rename one of the bridges in honor of the Red Army is fake. Journalists from the French media TF1 contacted the Paris City Council to inquire if it really has plans for a renaming. There they refuted the spread information and noted that the Paris City Council did not make any decision on the new name of the bridge, especially in honor of the Red Army. The issue was not even considered there, although members of the city council regularly consider proposals for renaming buildings and streets in the city. The city council also confirmed to journalists that there is not a single bridge dedicated to the Red Army in Paris today.
Moreover, Russian propagandists, in addition to spreading fake news about the renaming, also misrepresented key facts about the Aval Bridge, saying that it supposedly connects the 12th and 13th districts of the city, when in reality it is the 15th and 16th districts.
StopFake has previously debunked World War II-related fakes, such as that no Germans allegedly fought in the Red Army during World War II, or that Crimean Tatars were allegedly deported for desertion from the Red Army and treason.
