The German government has accused Russia of executing a significant cyberattack and spreading disinformation during the federal election campaign aimed at undermining trust in democratic institutions. The Foreign Office reported that these actions are part of a broader effort to destabilize Germany. The Russian ambassador was summoned, and further repercussions are promised. A cyberattack linked to the Russian hacker group Fancy Bear targeted the country’s air traffic control service in August 2024.
Germany has identified a disinformation campaign known as Storm 1516, which began in 2024 and aims to influence elections in Western nations. This campaign involved false testimonies and fabricated content targeting key political figures, including videos alleging scandalous behavior and criminal actions against them.
Officials noted that Moscow seeks to destabilize European democracies through hybrid warfare, combining military and propaganda tactics to influence public opinion. Increased hybrid threats from Russia have been observed, prompting Germany to coordinate countermeasures with European partners, including sanctions and support for Ukraine. The government emphasized its commitment to monitoring Russian activities and responding accordingly.
