Fact Check: Russian Disinformation Targets German Elections

Russian disinformation campaigns are a growing concern for the European Union, particularly in the lead-up to crucial elections this fall. Operation Matryoshka, also known as Matryoshka II, has been making headlines with its brazen attempts to discredit German candidates through fake posts on social media platforms X, Bluesky, and TikTok since June 24.

The tactics employed by Matryoshka are familiar from previous Russian disinformation campaigns. Fake videos purporting to come from reputable German news outlets like Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung and Spiegel TV have been circulating online, spreading false accusations about candidates running for office in Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Lower Saxony, and Berlin. These narratives mirror earlier Russian influence operations, as Pablo Maristany de las Casas from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue notes: “pro-Russian, anti-German and anti-EU” messages are again being pushed to further Russia’s interests.

One of the most egregious examples of Matryoshka’s tactics is the fake video targeting German student Eric Stehr, who’s running for state parliament in Saxony-Anhalt as a candidate for the socialist Left party. The doctored videos accuse him of murder and other heinous crimes, cleverly designed to appear as if they’re coming from major German media outlets.

Analysts suggest that Russia is seeking to erode trust in Germany’s democratic institutions by sowing confusion and doubt about specific candidates. By targeting individual candidates rather than the bigger parties, Moscow may be attempting to create chaos and confusion at the local level.

While there’s no definitive proof yet linking Operation Matryoshka directly to the Russian state, evidence points strongly in that direction. The use of linguistic tricks, such as abbreviating party names in their Russian version, raises suspicions. OSINT research group Gnida Project has previously linked Matryoshka to Storm-1516, a well-known unit reportedly controlled by Russia’s military intelligence agency, the GRU.

Germany is not the only target of this disinformation campaign; Operation Matryoshka has been active across multiple platforms since September 2023, with targets including Germany’s federal election, elections in Moldova and Armenia, and even the Olympic Games in France. The focus on relatively obscure candidates suggests a deliberate attempt to create an atmosphere of mistrust and uncertainty that can be exploited for Moscow’s gain.

Russian influence operations are becoming increasingly sophisticated. It’s no longer just about spreading propaganda; it’s about creating an environment where mistrust and uncertainty thrive, and can be manipulated for Russia’s benefit.

So what does this mean for Germany? For Europe as a whole? The stakes are high, and the consequences of inaction will be dire if left unchecked. As we watch these elections unfold, one thing is clear: Operation Matryoshka has already had a profound impact on the German electoral landscape. But its effects won’t be limited to Germany alone – the ripple effects will be felt across Europe.

To counter this disinformation campaign, key questions need to be asked, such as whether a video was published on an official account belonging to the media outlet or if the design and typography match the outlet’s actual branding. Analysts suggest that identifying manipulated content requires more than just technical solutions; it demands a fundamental shift in how we think about information, and how we engage with it.

In an era where trust is being eroded at breakneck speed, it’s time for all of us to take responsibility for the information we consume – and for our elected officials to do the same. As Germany heads into this critical election season, one thing is clear: Russia’s disinformation campaigns will not cease anytime soon. The only question is what Germany – and Europe as a whole – will do about it.