AfD under "Russian sights": will the German parliament become a channel for Kremlin espionage?
06.11.2025A detailed analysis of the Der Spiegel investigation: how the German far-right found itself at the center of a scandal that could overturn the perception of European security
On November 6, a media explosion occurred: Der Spiegel magazine and the investigative group from Censor.NET published sensational facts - the German far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) is suspected of systematically collecting secret data for Russian intelligence services.1According to the source, AfD deputies have been sending parliamentary requests to the German government for years, asking about details of military transport, defense vulnerabilities, cyber infrastructure, and even the specifics of data center operations. Now, German security agencies and ministries are concerned that such activity was not just government control, but deliberate espionage in the interests of Russia.
What exactly were the AfD's requests that caused the scandal?
Der Spiegel journalists analyze the documents: AfD deputies systematically asked about schemes to counter drones, details of the Bundeswehr's military operations, and ways to respond to attacks on critical infrastructure. Especially many questions concerned cyber defense, backup power sources for data centers, and weaknesses in the energy system.1. Comment by Minister Georg Mayer (Thuringia): "A noticeable focus on the vulnerability of the state. This is more than parliamentary control - it is working for the Kremlin's goals."
The Bundestag's defense committee also stated that the AfD is "too detailed" about the potential of the army, and that the level of detail is "hard to accept as the norm in political life."1.
What do the German authorities and intelligence services say?
The Thuringian Interior Minister said: The AfD is abusing the right of parliamentary inquiry to scrutinize the country's weaknesses. He directly accused the party of working for the Kremlin. The head of the defense committee, Thomas Revekamp, gave a similar message: the AfD's detailed and consistent questions about the Bundeswehr look like attempts to systematically collect sensitive information for Russia1.
The German Ministry of Defense confirmed that the suspicion is that some of the AfD requests were coordinated, and their goal was to identify gaps in defense and infrastructure for further transfer to Moscow.
Special interest in cybersecurity and data centers
The AfD has repeatedly asked about the structure and protection of state data centers: how many there are, which ones have backup systems, how they are protected from cyberattacks. Der Spiegel experts note: such information is "extremely useful" for Russian hackers or military analysts1The coalition parties are already speaking directly about "connections between AfD deputies and the Russian embassy."
In parallel, Minister Mayer mentions periods of AfD contacts not only with Russia, but also with China - probably, this is about seeking support among authoritarian partners.
Comments from politicians and public reaction
CDU/CSU faction leader Jens Spahn: "The suspicion that MPs are working for an enemy of the state is the worst thing that can happen." If the AfD leader does not provide convincing explanations, her activities "could be classified as treason."1.
Rapid opinion polls show discontent with the AfD's growing influence among a segment of the German population, who are alarmed by the involvement of German lawmakers in schemes with Russian intelligence services. Political analysts say the current scandal could lead to the first attempt in many years to officially ban a political force at the federal level.
Why are German radicals playing on the side of Russia?
It is known that the AfD regularly opposes anti-Russian sanctions, lobbies for ideas to deepen cooperation with the Kremlin, supports "traditional" Russian interests, and criticizes support for Ukraine.1. Investigations by The Insider, Spiegel and Bloomberg reveal direct financial flows from Moscow through intermediaries such as Sergienko and Medvedchuk. In addition, AfD MPs participated in recordings for the Voice of Europe channel, which spread Russian disinformation about the EU.1.
There have been repeated attempts by the AfD to file lawsuits against the German government in the interests of the Russian side — for example, regarding the lifting of sanctions, cooperation in the energy sector, and even challenging financial support for Ukraine.
Western reaction and consequences for European security
After the publication of the investigation, the German government and the coalition in the Bundestag promise to check all parliamentary requests from opposition parties for the purposeful collection of secret data. All AfD deputies are under threat of interrogation, checking mobile phones, email accounts and contacts with representatives of foreign missions.
Experts believe that if the AfD is recognized as a political structure working for the Kremlin, this will be a powerful signal to European intelligence services and political elites about the depth of Russia's infiltration into the internal life of European democracies.1
Historical and political context: shredding as a way to bribe elites
The AfD is not the only party at the center of the scandal. For over a decade, the political line of “Schroederization” (named after former Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder, who received money from Gazprom) has confirmed the systematic bribery of European politicians by Russia.1Dozens of former government officials from Germany, France, Austria, and Italy work for Russian or affiliated companies. Sanctions and criminal investigations have not been able to completely block this practice today.
From France to Latvia, from Estonia to Poland, intelligence agencies regularly uncover pro-Russian networks of spies and agents of influence under the guise of political dialogue or commercial deals.
Assessment and prospects for Ukraine
For Ukraine, this scandal is an additional political argument in the fight against Russian disinformation and lobbying in Europe, in particular regarding the continuation of sanctions, control of financial flows, and strengthening intelligence. It is important that the EU structure is able to counteract infiltration by Russia through local partner parties, influence on the media, and financial groups, and also maintain systematic oversight of the security of European states.
For Germany itself, this is a challenge for the political system: a test of the ability to clean up the political landscape, preserve a democratic culture, and resist the Kremlin's attempts to subjugate strategic resources and influence through parliamentary institutions.
Sources
- Censor.NET: Germany's AfD is suspected of spying for Russia — Der Spiegel
- The Insider & Spiegel: Kremlin used German far-right AfD to block aid to Ukraine
- Bloomberg: German far-right AfD party looking into alleged Russia links
- BBC: Germany investigates far-right party links to Russia, espionage claims
- Radio Svoboda: AfD received speech texts from Moscow - investigation
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