Germany Flags “Extremely Serious” Risk of Russian Interference in 2026 Elections

German domestic intelligence has warned of potential Russian interference in state parliamentary elections scheduled throughout 2026.

Authorities are viewing these risks with high concern as the first votes approach on March 8, according to the Center for Countering Disinformation of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine on March 3.

“The Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution warned of increasing risks of Russian interference in the elections to state parliaments, which are to take place during 2026, starting from March 8. German counterintelligence assesses the threat as ‘extremely serious’, predicting large-scale information manipulation aimed at supporting political forces loyal to Moscow,” the report states.

The Kremlin’s strategy involves attempts to discredit individuals and organizations that oppose Russian narratives, particularly those supporting Ukraine following Russia’s full-scale invasion.

There are also concerns that Russia will try to damage public trust in democratic institutions by manipulating sensitive domestic issues. These topics include internal security, migration, and the general fairness of the voting process itself.

Moscow aims to polarize public debates and create a sense of instability to weaken European unity regarding sanctions and military assistance. Recent history shows that these efforts often involve a combination of cyberattacks and networks of fake websites.

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Russia views interference in foreign elections as a key part of its national security strategy. By conducting these hybrid attacks, Moscow seeks to push for a security model in Europe that favors its own interests while making the public doubt the effectiveness of democratic procedures, the Center wrote.

Earlier, the German government formally accused Russia of conducting a large-scale cyberattack on the country’s air traffic control system and orchestrating a disinformation campaign during recent elections. According to German officials, there was credible evidence of Russian interference aimed at sowing division within society and undermining trust in democratic institutions.

These hostile actions, which included the “Storm 1516” operation and attacks by the Fancy Bear hacking group, led the German Foreign Ministry to summon the Russian ambassador and implement countermeasures against Moscow’s hybrid offensive.

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