Russian Disinformation Campaign Targets German Elections

In the lead-up to the September 2026 elections in Germany, a disinformation campaign has emerged, primarily targeting candidates like Eric Stehr from the Left Party. Fake videos and posts allege serious crimes against Stehr, including murder and organizing illicit parties, falsely attributing these claims to major German media outlets. The campaign is part of a larger Russian influence operation known as Matrjoschka, which has been active since September 2023. Over 180 fake posts have been identified across social media platforms such as X, Bluesky, and TikTok. The operation aims to discredit candidates in key regional elections, including those in Sachsen-Anhalt and Berlin. Authorities have confirmed that there are no investigations against Stehr, and the claims are entirely fabricated. The campaign's scale and targeted nature raise concerns about the integrity of the upcoming elections.

Key Points: • A disinformation campaign targeting German election candidates has been identified. • Eric Stehr is a primary target, facing false allegations of murder and misconduct. • The Matrjoschka operation has produced over 180 fake posts since June 2026.