Pro-Russian propagandists are ramping up their efforts to denigrate next month’s Paris Summer Olympics and undermine Western support for Ukraine through a series of brazen online and offline stunts, private experts and Western officials told CNN.

French President Emmanuel Macron had previously accused Russia of targeting the Olympic Games, drawing a denial from the Kremlin.

Leadership never used to be an issue for France. Les Bleus lined up at major tournaments with a designated leader in each position: Goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, defender Raphaël Varane, midfielder Paul Pogba and forward Antoine Griezmann.

Kylian Mbappe has been left out of France's 25-man preliminary squad for a training camp ahead of this year's Paris Olympics, head coach Thierry Henry said on Monday. Although his omission does not mean the 2018 World Cup winner has been ruled out of the Games,