Russia uses German anti-war rallies to undermine Ukraine support
Russian intelligence has been exploiting unofficial anti-war demonstrations in Germany to sway public opinion and weaken support for Ukraine, according to European officials, Bloomberg reported on May 15.
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Officials, speaking anonymously to discuss sensitive matters, stated that the Russian GRU's psychological operations unit 54777 targeted organizations like Alternative Kinder Zukunft (AKiZ) and its "Children of War" photo project.
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The photo exhibition, launched in Cologne in June 2022, a few months after Russia invaded Ukraine, aimed to highlight the suffering of children in war zones.
European officials allege that AKiZ used this platform to campaign against NATO and advocate for an end to military aid for Ukraine. The group has organized or participated in protests and peaceful rallies in several German cities, including Berlin and Ramstein, where NATO's air command is located. There is no indication that AKiZ is linked to Russian intelligence.
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AKiZ, a small campaigning organization led by Oksana Walter, has faced criticism for alleged pro-Russian propaganda. Walter has previously denied these accusations, stating that the project is dedicated to children and does not represent the interests of any nation.
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