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EU response to Russian disinformation

Updated 9 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-08-11 12:04 UTC → 2026-08-26 13:52 UTC · added ~~removed~~

By early August 2026, German authorities identified a significant Russian-directed disinformation effort dubbed “Operation Matrjoschka” (also referred to as “Operation Overload”), targeting the upcoming September state elections in Berlin, Saxony-Anhalt, and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. This campaign utilizes sophisticated techniques, including hundreds of AI-generated voices and manipulated recordings, to mimic reputable media outlets like the BBC, ARD, and Spiegel TV. The fabricated materials are designed to spread false accusations of embezzlement and sexual misconduct against politicians from the CDU, SPD, Greens, and FDP, while notably sparing the AfD and BSW. While authorities assess the current reach of the campaign as relatively limited, there are significant concerns regarding its potential to erode public trust and influence perception during the electoral period. These digital efforts are supplemented by physical propaganda, including cement blocks featuring slogans such as “I am still waiting for my pension,” discovered in central Berlin. While the Russian embassy has denied involvement, German intelligence views these tactics as part of a broader hybrid-threat ecosystem aimed at destabilizing democratic processes and deepening social divisions, drawing parallels to previous interference observed in Moldova and Armenia. The German Journalists’ Association has criticized the government's response as insufficient, calling for increased pressure on social media platforms to ensure the prompt removal of fraudulent content. By August 10, new instances of manipulated campaign materials emerged. In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, the SPD reported a fake campaign poster of Minister-President Manuela Schwesig where the original German slogan, ‘Entscheidung für MV’, was replaced with Arabic text. In Berlin, concerns have also risen regarding a potential increase in hate speech and the suspected use of bots or AI-generated content on platforms such as Facebook and X. In response to these challenges, new AI-driven initiatives have been launched to bolster voter literacy.

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