Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has issued an official warning about a Russian disinformation campaign linked to the Russian Matryoshka bot network ahead of several state and local elections scheduled for September 2026. The campaign uses short English-language videos mimicking well-known German media outlets, employing sensationalist headlines and biased claims to polarize East and West Germany, promote anti-federal sentiment, and discredit state and local politicians, especially targeting those whose political positions do not align with Russian Federation interests. Bots on X (Twitter) spread posts with the hashtag #TimeToDivideGermany promoting division of Germany. Elections targeted include state parliaments of Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Berlin's parliament, and local offices in Lower Saxony. Similar Matryoshka-linked disinformation campaigns have also targeted French politicians and elections.

Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV) has issued an official warning about a Russian disinformation campaign linked to the Russian Matryoshka bot network ahead of several state and local elections scheduled for September 2026. The campaign uses short English-language videos mimicking well-known German media outlets, employing sensationalist headlines and biased claims to polarize East and West Germany, promote anti-federal sentiment, and discredit state and local politicians, especially targeting those whose political positions do not align with Russian Federation interests. Bots on X (Twitter) spread posts with the hashtag #TimeToDivideGermany promoting division of Germany. Elections targeted include state parliaments of Saxony-Anhalt and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Berlin's parliament, and local offices in Lower Saxony. Similar Matryoshka-linked disinformation campaigns have also targeted French politicians and elections.