Russia allegedly influencing Sachsen-Anhalt state election with fake news
During the ongoing election campaign for the state parliament in Sachsen-Anhalt, foreign influence operations using fake news are suspected. A campaign, dubbed "Matrjoschka," disseminates false information and manipulated videos.
False information targeting candidates from the Green Party, CDU, Left Party, and SPD is circulating in the current election campaign for the state parliament of Sachsen-Anhalt. The campaign, which reportedly began in early July, is suspected by German security agencies to be orchestrated by Russia. German news outlet "Die Zeit" reported on the disinformation operation, which aims to sow societal discord and influence political discourse.
The campaign primarily utilizes short videos designed to mimic the appearance and logos of established media outlets such as "Süddeutsche Zeitung," "FAZ," "Spiegel TV," and "Die Zeit," to create a semblance of legitimate reporting. The AfD party is reportedly not the target of this particular operation. State security authorities in Sachsen-Anhalt have initiated a defamation investigation against unknown perpetrators.
Security authorities have been monitoring similar foreign influence activities, particularly from Russia, for years. They assess that Russia systematically seeks to exacerbate societal tensions within Germany and interfere in political debates. Previous elections have seen the spread of AI-generated fake news and allegations of electoral fraud.
Authorities are urging the public to exercise heightened caution with political content online. They advise users to verify the authenticity of posts and their sources, noting that one-sided presentations can indicate disinformation. Users are encouraged to report suspicious content on the respective platforms.