Russian-Linked Disinformation Campaign Targets German Regional Elections Ahead of September Vote

In the lead-up to Germany’s regional elections this September, a coordinated disinformation campaign linked to Russian authorities has been detected targeting eastern German states. The campaign employs fake videos and images designed to mimic reputable German media outlets, aiming to sway public opinion toward pro-Russian parties.

Disinformation Strategy and Execution

Since late June, over 135 short videos containing false information about German politicians and 18 doctored images resembling front pages of prominent newspapers have been circulated across German-language social media platforms. Investigations by Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung (NZZ) and German weekly Die Zeit, referencing the Antibot4Navalny project, uncovered these materials primarily on the social network X, as well as on Bluesky and TikTok.

These fabricated contents replicate the visual styles of respected German media such as Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), Süddeutsche Zeitung, Die Zeit, and public broadcasters ARD, ZDF, and Deutsche Welle. A notable example includes a fake video posted on X on July 10 featuring Sven Schulze, the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Minister-President of Saxony-Anhalt, falsely claiming he plans to finance construction of a “new Berlin Wall.” The video displayed the FAZ logo to lend false credibility.

“The campaign’s goal is to discredit candidates from all Bundestag parties except the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) and the pro-Russian Sahra Wagenknecht’s party,” noted the investigations.

This disinformation effort, attributed to a Kremlin-connected bot network known as “Matryoshka,” has previously been flagged by media outlets. The campaign targets upcoming elections in Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania regional parliaments (Landtage), municipal elections in Lower Saxony, and the Berlin House of Representatives.

Implications for German Political Landscape and Security

The range of false allegations spans from accusations of pedophilia to “black realtor” schemes, intending to tarnish reputations across the political spectrum while excluding narratives that would harm pro-Russian parties like AfD and the Business Union of Sahra Wagenknecht (BSW).

German federal security agencies, including the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, are actively investigating the organizers behind this disinformation operation. They acknowledge the connection to the Matryoshka bot network and confirm awareness of the fake content spreading online.

From a strategic perspective, this disinformation campaign exemplifies Russia’s ongoing efforts to influence European political processes to its advantage by fostering distrust and division within democratic societies. The timing ahead of key regional elections highlights the use of digital propaganda as a tool for geopolitical influence.

Comparative Investment in Information Resilience

According to the French newspaper Le Monde, Russia reportedly allocates approximately €1.3 billion annually to overseas propaganda operations. By contrast, the European Union’s budget for enhancing media literacy and combating disinformation in 2025 stands at just €5 million, underscoring a significant disparity in resources dedicated to information security.

For German political stakeholders and election authorities, countering such sophisticated disinformation campaigns remains a critical challenge. It calls for enhanced coordination between government agencies, media organizations, and technology platforms to strengthen resilience against foreign influence and protect electoral integrity.