When Germany invaded the USSR, the occupation authorities started with massive arrests of Russian emigres residing in France, e.g. D. Odinets. Many Russians participated in the French resistance movement, and a number of those founded the Union of Russian Patriots («Союз русских патриотов») on 3 October 1943 in collaboration with the French Communist Party. The union published the newspaper "Russian Patriot". After the Liberation of France the organization was renamed the Union of Soviet Patriots («Союз советских патриотов») and the newspaper was consequently renamed "Soviet Patriot". The activities of the Union proceeded with contacts with the Soviet consulate general in Paris. At that time, the membership of the Union was estimated to be 6,500.