German Intelligence Warns of Intensified Russian Influence Efforts During Government Formation

Verfassungsschutz highlights ongoing disinformation, cyberattacks, and espionage aimed at destabilizing Germany and advancing Kremlin-aligned narratives.

The German Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (Verfassungsschutz) has issued a new warning about Russian influence operations targeting Germany's post-election government formation period.
Tactics include disinformation campaigns, cyberattacks, espionage, and the use of paid influencers, botnets, and fake social media accounts to manipulate public opinion.
Russian efforts aim to undermine democratic processes, discredit unfavorable political actors, and promote Kremlin-aligned narratives, including claims that Germany prioritizes Ukraine over domestic concerns.
These operations are part of a broader Russian strategy to influence elections and political outcomes across Europe, with similar campaigns documented in Moldova, Romania, and Poland.
The blending of state and non-state actors in these activities complicates attribution, providing Russia with plausible deniability for its interference efforts.