Russia's Operation Matrjoschka targets German state elections

Russia Operation Matrjoschka German state elections disinformation videos X platform

German security services have identified a surge in Russian‑directed disinformation campaigns ahead of the September 2026 state elections in Berlin, Saxony‑Anhalt and Mecklenburg‑Western Pomerania. The operation, dubbed “Operation Matrjoschka”, builds on a similar effort observed during the 2025 Bundestag election.

The campaign relies on a low triple‑digit number of fabricated short videos that bear the logos of reputable outlets such as the BBC and Germany’s ARD. The videos spread false accusations of embezzlement, sexual misconduct and other scandals against local politicians. They are posted primarily on the X platform, where many are later removed. All mainstream parties – the CDU, SPD, Greens and FDP – are targeted, while the far‑right AfD and the populist BSW are excluded.

German authorities say the material has limited reach but is “neither harmless nor harmlessly harmless”, and warn that it forms part of a broader hybrid‑threat ecosystem involving state‑run and private Russian actors. Concrete concrete‑block installations with slogans like “I am still waiting for my pension” have been found in central Berlin and are also linked to the same influence effort. The German Journalists’ Association has criticised the government for insufficient response, urging stronger pressure on social‑media platforms to delete the fake content promptly.

Entities

AfD · Alternative for Germany (AfD) · Berlin · CDU · Christian Democratic Union (CDU) · German security agencies · German security services · German state elections (2026) · Germany · Operation Matrjoschka · Russia · Russia

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 9 SOURCES] Physical installations with slogans such as “I am still waiting for my pension” have been found in central Berlin and are attributed to Russian influence. www.finanznachrichten.de · www.rtl.de · www.n-tv.de · www.morgenpost.de · www.radiobrocken.de · +1 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The campaign deliberately spares the AfD and BSW from the fake‑video attacks. www.finanznachrichten.de · www.rtl.de · www.n-tv.de · www.morgenpost.de · www.radiobrocken.de · +1 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The videos are primarily distributed on the social‑media platform X, with many later removed. www.finanznachrichten.de · www.rtl.de · www.n-tv.de · www.morgenpost.de · www.radiobrocken.de · +1 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The operation is part of “Operation Matrjoschka,” previously observed in the 2025 Bundestag election. www.finanznachrichten.de · www.rtl.de · www.n-tv.de · www.morgenpost.de · www.radiobrocken.de · +1 more
[● 9 SOURCES] The campaign uses fabricated videos that falsely accuse politicians of embezzlement and sexual misconduct. www.finanznachrichten.de · www.rtl.de · www.n-tv.de · www.morgenpost.de · www.radiobrocken.de · +1 more
[● 9 SOURCES] Russian actors employ AI‑generated content and a network of firms to produce the disinformation. www.finanznachrichten.de · www.rtl.de · www.n-tv.de · www.morgenpost.de · www.radiobrocken.de · +1 more
[● 19 SOURCES] Russian actors are running a disinformation campaign called Operation “Matrjoschka” targeting German state elections in September 2026. www.finanznachrichten.de · www.rtl.de · www.n-tv.de · www.morgenpost.de · www.radiobrocken.de · +11 more
[● 19 SOURCES] The fabricated videos display logos of reputable media outlets such as the BBC and ARD to appear credible. www.finanznachrichten.de · www.rtl.de · www.n-tv.de · www.morgenpost.de · www.radiobrocken.de · +11 more
[● 7 SOURCES] The fabricated videos contain false accusations of embezzlement and sexual misconduct against local politicians. www.finanznachrichten.de · www.rtl.de · www.n-tv.de · www.it-boltwise.de · www.morgenpost.de · +1 more
[● 18 SOURCES] The videos are primarily distributed on the X platform, with many later removed. www.finanznachrichten.de · www.rtl.de · www.n-tv.de · www.it-boltwise.de · www.morgenpost.de · +10 more
[● 16 SOURCES] Russian actors are running a disinformation campaign targeting German state elections in September 2026. www.finanznachrichten.de · www.rtl.de · www.n-tv.de · www.it-boltwise.de · www.morgenpost.de · +8 more
[● 8 SOURCES] The campaign is part of the operation known as “Operation Matrjoschka,” previously observed during the 2025 Bundestag election. www.finanznachrichten.de · www.rtl.de · www.n-tv.de · www.it-boltwise.de · www.morgenpost.de · +1 more