Leaked internal documents reveal Kremlin-linked agency SDA's extensive disinformation efforts targeting Germany to spread fear, polarize society, and boost far-right AfD party ahead of elections in 2024.

Internal leaked documents from the Kremlin-affiliated Social Design Agency (SDA), analyzed by WDR, NDR, SZ and partners, expose a coordinated Russian propaganda effort to influence public opinion and political processes in Germany and other Western countries, including France, Israel, and Ukraine. Led by Ilya Gambashidze, SDA creates and spreads falsified narratives via internet memes, caricatures, and fake news distributed on social media and Telegram channels like 'VoxCartoons'. One campaign 'Doppelgänger' involved cloning reputable news sites to spread Russia-friendly disinformation. Targets in Germany include encouraging fear about the future, economic instability, and increasing the far-right AfD vote share to 20%, alongside polarizing society and undermining pro-Western parties. The agency closely monitors German protests, politicians, media figures, and public sentiment to adapt narratives. US authorities have imposed sanctions on SDA for election interference. Despite some social media takedowns, Russian disinformation continues to aim at destabilizing German democracy in a hybrid warfare context.