German government catches Russia using online platform to fuel social unrest

The German government has formally accused Russia of using a media platform called Red to fuel social unrest and spread disinformation, in what officials describe as part of a broader Kremlin effort to destabilize Western democracies while continuing its war against Ukraine.

A spokesperson for Germany’s Foreign Ministry told reporters on Wednesday that the outlet Red—an online platform presenting itself as a hub for independent journalism—has “close links” to Russian state media and is being actively used to manipulate public opinion inside Germany.

“Red presents itself as a revolutionary platform for independent journalists. However, it has close links with the Russian state media outlet RT,” the spokesperson said. “Today we can confirm that Red is being used by Russia specifically to manipulate information.”

The platform is operated by AFA Medya, a Turkish media firm whose founder, Huseyin Dogru, is already subject to European Union sanctions for alleged ties to Russian propaganda operations. EU officials have accused both Dogru and AFA Medya of working to “undermine the democratic political process” in Germany.

The accusations come amid growing concern in Berlin and Brussels over Russia’s evolving disinformation playbook, which increasingly relies on third-party platforms, shell companies, and foreign intermediaries to launder pro-Kremlin narratives into European political discourse. While outlets like RT and Sputnik were previously sanctioned or banned across much of the EU, newer channels like Red have taken their place—often appearing under the guise of grassroots activism or alternative media.

Red’s content has mirrored many of Moscow’s propaganda lines, including false claims about Ukrainian refugees, NATO expansion, and Western economic decline. Analysts say the platform has attempted to exploit social divisions in Germany, amplifying content that portrays Berlin as a failing state and framing Russian aggression as defensive.

The platform announced its closure on May 16, shortly after EU sanctions were expanded to include Dogru and his firm. However, disinformation experts warn that Red’s shutdown is unlikely to end the operation entirely.

“These outlets rarely disappear,” said a senior German cybersecurity official, speaking on background due to ongoing investigations. “They rebrand, relocate, or launch mirror platforms. The infrastructure remains. And so does the money.”

The German government has pledged to continue monitoring foreign influence operations ahead of its 2026 federal elections, warning that Moscow is likely to intensify its efforts.

“This is not an isolated case,” the Foreign Ministry spokesperson said. “We expect further attempts to infiltrate our media environment and weaken trust in our institutions.”

While Russia has denied involvement in such campaigns, German officials say the evidence—linking Red to known Kremlin assets—leaves little doubt about the source.