Russian disinformation campaigns are increasingly targeting regional and municipal candidates in Germany ahead of crucial local elections scheduled for September.

The eastern states of Saxony-Anhalt, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania and Berlin all go to the polls next month with strong results for the Russia-friendly far-right AfD party expected. German authorities, however, are warning that Moscow is not simply banking on genuine pro-Russian sentiment among some voters in eastern Germany, Kyiv Post reported.

Instead, it is actively seeking to magnify existing political and social divisions. Officials have identified, for example, videos designed to resemble content from established media outlets, copying their logos, that falsely accuse politicians of serious sexual offences.

They targeted candidates from all major parties in the regions where elections are upcoming, with the two notable exceptions of the Russia-friendly far-right AfD and the left-wing BSW.

In addition to Russian intelligence services and organisations such as the Social Design Agency (SDA), an IT agency with close ties to the Kremlin, academic specialists are believed to be playing a growing role in Moscow’s information operations, including through researchers affiliated with the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Organisations such as SDA, which is financed by the Russian state and receives support and strategic guidance from Unit 29155 of Russia’s military intelligence service, have developed relatively detailed key performance indicators (KPIs).

But its definition of success appears generous, as the SDA reportedly counts almost any media coverage of its operations as a win, regardless of whether it ultimately contributes to Russia’s intended influence objectives.