Russia steps up disinformation campaigns ahead of German elections
Russia is ramping up disinformation campaigns in Germany ahead of key state elections next month, German security sources say.
Elections are scheduled in Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. Polls suggest the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) [Alternative für Deutschland] could make major gains, and may even win a majority in Saxony-Anhalt. The AfD leader has pledged to upend the political consensus and restore ties with Russia, which have been frozen since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Four security sources told Reuters the campaigns are centrally run from Russia through several companies. Their goal is to polarise politics and discredit the governing CDU [Christian Democratic Union] and SPD [Social Democratic Party], as well as the Greens and Free Democratic Party. Videos are being spread on social media, mainly in English, using the logos of trusted outlets like the BBC and German broadcaster ARD [Arbeitsgemeinschaft der öffentlich-rechtlichen Rundfunkanstalten der Bundesrepublik Deutschland]. They carry false claims about local politicians, including embezzlement and sexual harassment.
Officials say this fits a wider pattern. Germany’s domestic spy chief Sinan Selen has warned that Russia sees Germany as a prime target because it is a central NATO logistics hub and a strong backer of Ukraine. Similar Russian-linked operations, such as Storm 1516, Doppelganger and Matryoshka, have previously pushed fake warnings of terror attacks and doctored news to undermine trust ahead of votes. Moscow has consistently denied interference.
The government says countermeasures are being considered with EU partners. Green MP Konstantin von Notz, vice-chair of parliament’s intelligence oversight committee, said Russia and the AfD “are sharing the work,” with Russian narratives then re-broadcast by the party. The Russian Embassy in Berlin has called the accusations “ridiculous.”