50,000 fake profiles attempted to discredit the federal government as part of a pro-Russian campaign. The Foreign Office reveals how the fake accounts operated.
The Foreign Office has uncovered a pro-Russian disinformation campaign on Platform X. 50,000 fake user accounts in German tried to stir up discontent against the federal government and undermine support for Ukraine, according to the relevant analysis by ministry experts. It refers to the period from December 20th to January 20th and is available to “Der Spiegel” magazine.
During this time, more than a million German-language posts were posted. The accusation that the federal government was neglecting its own population in order to support Ukraine often appeared: “I find it disappointing that the government does more for other countries than for its own citizens,” was one of the most widely circulated short messages.
According to the analysis, the fake accounts liked to link to fake websites that were similar to those of well-known media and spread false news, such as that Ukraine was soon on the verge of defeat. The verbal barrage only fell silent on weekends and on Russian holidays.
According to the report, the analysts attribute the current wave of attacks to the so-called doppelganger campaign, which became known in 2022 and also targets other European countries. There are some indications that a large part of the campaign is automated and controlled by algorithms.
“Disinformation has become a global threat factor,” a Foreign Office spokesman told “Spiegel”. “It is used deliberately by those who do not share our values to destabilize entire societies – not just in Western democracies, but everywhere.”
Task Force against Disinformation
A spokeswoman for the Federal Ministry of the Interior said on Friday in Berlin that the government was running a working group on hybrid threats. The Interior Ministry also leads a task force against disinformation.
The focus is on measures “to identify Russian narratives and strengthen proactive, transparent and fact-based communication.” The federal government is continuing to expand its ability “to detect, analyze and defend against hybrid threats.” The EU has also further developed its instruments to combat disinformation.
Union warns against neglecting civil protection
Yesterday the Bundeswehr’s plans for a new “Operations Plan for Germany” (OPLAN) were presented in Berlin. It should determine how to proceed together in the event of tension and defense. This also includes better networking with security authorities, disaster control organizations and industrial companies. In Germany, the states are responsible for disaster protection. The federal government must take care of civil protection – i.e. the protection of the population in the event of war.
In an interview with the German Press Agency, the deputy parliamentary group leader of the Union, Andrea Lindholz (CSU), warned against leaving civil defense planning solely to the Bundeswehr. At a symposium on OPLAN, Saxony’s Interior Minister, Armin Schuster (CDU), called for people to prepare for hybrid attack scenarios using simulation games. It should not be the case that, in a scenario with cyber attacks, disinformation and terrorist attacks, you first have to look at who is behind it in order to determine whether the Bundeswehr or another body is responsible.
Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
