Russian Disinformation Campaign 'Doppelgänger' Continues in Germany

Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, a covert Russian disinformation operation has been identified that uses 'doppelgänger' websites—fake copies of reputable news outlets—to spread pro-Russian propaganda and misinformation in the German-speaking sphere. Initially crude, these fake sites have improved in quality and are promoted via paid adverts on social media, notably X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook. Investigations traced much of the campaign to a Russian company linked to the Kremlin. Efforts to shut down many of these sites, including actions by a Ukrainian hosting provider that terminated services after learning about their Ukraine-hostile content, achieved some success but did not end the campaign. A recent CeMAS study notes the thematic focus remains largely unchanged, emphasizing the discrediting of Ukraine and the German government and stoking social fears, with only minimal adaptation to political events. The campaign employs multiple coordinated social media accounts to post and amplify content. The study also highlights platform X's inconsistent response to reports of misinformation, including significant delays and partial account suspensions. Political and societal impacts continue as observers monitor ongoing pro-Russian disinformation activities in Europe. This campaign exemplifies persistent hybrid warfare tactics involving information operations and psychological manipulation against European audiences.