Russian Disinformation Campaign Targets German Elections
Introduction
In the lead-up to Germany’s federal elections on February 23, 2025, the country has faced a barrage of disinformation campaigns aimed at destabilizing Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other candidates.
The Villa Hoax
One of the most widely circulated false claims is a video alleging that Scholz owns a €90 million villa in Los Angeles. The video, which has garnered over 1.3 million views on TikTok, questions how Scholz, whose annual salary as Chancellor is approximately €1 million, could afford such an extravagant property.
The claim is entirely fabricated. Scholz’s spokesman has confirmed that the Chancellor does not own any property in Los Angeles.
John Mark Dougan and Operation "Storm-1516"
The disinformation campaign has been linked to John Mark Dougan, a former U.S. sheriff and marine who has resided in Russia since 2016. Dougan is suspected of being part of "Operation Storm-1516," a Russian operation that has been targeting elections in Western democracies for over a year.
NewsGuard and Correctiv, two investigative media outlets, have accused Dougan and his associates of creating fake news websites that resemble legitimate German news sources. These websites use artificial intelligence and deepfakes to create and disseminate false content aimed at boosting support for the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party.
Propaganda Tactics
Dougan’s network of websites employs a consistent method for spreading disinformation:
- A foreign news site publishes an article without reliable sources or authorship for a fee.
- A fake German website republishes the article, giving it an air of legitimacy.
- The disinformation is amplified through social media channels.
Specific Disinformation Examples
- Alleged sexual assault by Robert Habeck: A fake news article claimed that Habeck, the Green Party candidate, sexually assaulted a 10-year-old girl in 2017. This claim was debunked by the German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution.
- Germany-Kenya migration agreement: A false article falsely stated that Germany had agreed to accept 1.9 million Kenyan workers to address a labor shortage. This claim was denied by the German Interior Minister, who clarified that the actual agreement does not specify any quotas or numbers of skilled workers.
GRU Involvement
According to Correctiv’s investigation, Dougan’s disinformation operation is linked to the GRU, the Russian military intelligence agency. Operation "Storm-1516" has previously been involved in destabilizing events such as the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2024 U.S. elections.
Conclusion
The ongoing disinformation campaign targeting the German elections is a serious threat to democratic discourse and stability. The Russian-linked operation uses sophisticated techniques to spread false claims and influence public opinion. It is essential for voters to be aware of these tactics and to rely on credible news sources to inform their decisions. By exposing the perpetrators and their methods, we can help protect the integrity of the electoral process.
