Influencing local elections: These Russian envoys reach almost no one
A Russian disinformation campaign known as 'Matrjoschka' has been spreading fake news about upcoming state elections in Germany through social networks. These fakes often mimic reputable media outlets like ARD, Deutsche Welle, or Welt, using logos and images of real journalists or celebrities to appear authentic. Despite claims by some politicians and media reports suggesting the campaign reaches tens of thousands, a CORRECTIV investigation reveals that the actual reach is minimal. The campaign appears to rely on media and political attention to amplify its influence, rather than direct engagement with the public. The strategy mirrors another similar campaign called 'Doppelgänger,' which previously targeted countries such as Armenia but failed to impact election outcomes there. The Federal Office for Constitutional Protection warned in mid-August 2026 that the campaign is focusing on German state and local politicians who hold positions contrary to Russia’s strategic interests.
A fake news campaign has sparked a diplomatic dispute between Czechia and Poland, with both nations accusing each other of spreading false information. The controversy began when unknown actors hacked the website of a Polish radio station and posted a fabricated message claiming that Poland demanded the return of Czech territory. This was followed by the creation of fake profiles of Czech and Polish diplomats, a forged government letter from Poland, and a misleading replica of the Czech public broadcaster iRozhlas. The campaign culminated in an apparently fictitious call for a demonstration in the border town of Trinec, using the slogan “Here we live. Here we stay,” designed to stoke fears of displacement and confiscation. Within days, what had once been a minor historical footnote became a seemingly real international conflict. The disputed area, known as Cieszyn in Poland and Český Těšín in Czechia, has long been a point of contention. After World War I, the young Czechoslovak state asserted its claims through military action, leading to the Seven-Day War. Following the Munich Agreement in 1938, Poland occupied the region, which was later annexed by Nazi Germany during World War II. After the war, the 1920 boundary was restored, dividing the city into two parts. Stability came with the 1958 Czechoslovak-Polish Border Treaty, and after both countries joined the EU in 2004 and the Schengen zone in 2007, citizens of the divided city began to reunite. Relations have since been largely peaceful, making the resurgence of old tensions particularly alarming. The fake news campaign appears to be part of a broader effort to reignite historical grievances. The fabricated content included cloned versions of reputable media sites, complete with logos and authentic-looking articles, making it difficult for readers to distinguish truth from falsehood. The messages were designed to incite fear and distrust, with particular emphasis on issues of territorial sovereignty and national identity. The German media outlet Die Zeit reported that such campaigns often trace their origins to Russia, suggesting that the attack could be linked to Russian-backed disinformation efforts aimed at destabilizing European political stability. Both Czech and Polish officials have expressed concern over the incident. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk responded by posting an image of the cartoon characters Reksio and the Little Mole, symbols of friendship between the two nations, alongside a message in Czech stating, “Reksio and the little mole know this already: Poland and the Czech Republic are true friends.” Similarly, Czech authorities have warned against dismissing the situation, with the spokesperson for the Czech domestic intelligence agency BIS, Ladislav Sticha, describing the incident as a typical example of Russian disinformation tactics. He emphasized that the investigation into the origin of the campaign is ongoing and that both nations are working together to uncover the perpetrators. While there is no evidence that the fabricated calls for protest led to actual demonstrations, local representatives in Trinec noted that no one attended the alleged rally. Despite this, the psychological impact of the campaign has been significant, with both governments acknowledging the need for heightened vigilance against foreign interference. Security agencies are currently investigating the trail of digital footprints left by the attackers, though the exact source remains under scrutiny. The incident highlights the growing challenge of distinguishing genuine political discourse from orchestrated misinformation, especially in an era where online platforms play a central role in shaping public perception. As the investigation continues, both nations remain committed to maintaining open dialogue and cooperation. The episode serves as a reminder of how easily historical disputes can be manipulated in the digital age, underscoring the importance of transparency and resilience in democratic societies. For now, the focus remains on identifying the responsible parties and strengthening measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The article reports on a recent disinformation campaign originating from Russia, which falsely revived territorial disputes between Poland and the Czech Republic. Initially, these claims were dismissed as insignificant historical footnotes, but they gained traction through fabricated social media posts, fake profiles of diplomats, and counterfeit government documents. The false narrative included calls for demonstrations in the border town of Trinec, using slogans designed to incite fear of displacement. The campaign attempted to reignite old tensions over the disputed border region around Cieszyn/Cesky Tesin, a historically contentious area. Officials from both countries have condemned the misinformation, emphasizing the strong bilateral relations and the current stability of their relationship. Polish Prime Minister Tusk responded by highlighting the friendship between the two nations.
Bias read (Center): While the article discusses Russian disinformation efforts, it presents the issue as a balanced report, citing both the actions of the disinformation campaign and the responses from Polish and Czech officials. There is no clear ideological leaning in the framing of the story, and the focus remains客观
Why factuality (85): The article provides detailed information about a disinformation campaign involving fake profiles, false government documents, and fabricated media outlets. It clearly states that these were created by unknown actors and explains the historical context of the disputed land area. The reporting is bas
Why objectivity (90): The article presents the events in a neutral manner, focusing on facts and quoting officials where possible. It avoids taking sides in the dispute between Poland and the Czech Republic, maintaining a balanced and objective tone throughout.
A Russian disinformation campaign known as 'Matrjoschka' has been spreading fake news about upcoming state elections in Germany through social networks. These fakes often mimic reputable media outlets like ARD, Deutsche Welle, or Welt, using logos and images of real journalists or celebrities to appear authentic. Despite claims by some politicians and media reports suggesting the campaign reaches tens of thousands, a CORRECTIV investigation reveals that the actual reach is minimal. The campaign appears to rely on media and political attention to amplify its influence, rather than direct engagement with the public. The strategy mirrors another similar campaign called 'Doppelgänger,' which previously targeted countries such as Armenia but failed to impact election outcomes there. The Federal Office for Constitutional Protection warned in mid-August 2026 that the campaign is focusing on German state and local politicians who hold positions contrary to Russia’s strategic interests.
Bias read (Center): The article presents a balanced view of the situation, highlighting both the existence of the disinformation campaign and the limited reach of its content. It does not take a clear stance on the effectiveness or intent behind the campaign, instead relying on expert opinions and investigative data to
Why factuality (85): The article reports on a Russian influence campaign called 'Matrjoschka' that uses fake media reports to influence elections. It references previous reporting by CORRECTIV on a similar campaign named 'Doppelgänger', indicating consistency with prior coverage. The claim that the campaign reaches few
Why objectivity (70): The tone is somewhat activist-oriented, emphasizing collective action and resistance to misinformation. While the content is factual, the concluding call to action ('Nicht, weil ein Schritt allein die Welt verändert...') introduces a motivational angle that may lean towards advocacy rather than pure
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