Fake Video Alleging German Chancellor Merz's Resignation Linked to Russia

German security services are investigating a fabricated video that falsely claims Chancellor Friedrich Merz plans to resign. The video, which circulated online, used logos from respected German media outlets Deutsche Welle and Handelsblatt to lend credibility to its fabricated claims.

The deceptive footage alleged that leaked documents revealed Merz, leader of the conservative CDU party, intended to step down next week due to low poll numbers. Both Deutsche Welle and Handelsblatt have publicly denounced the video as a complete fabrication. A security source indicated that the likely creator is "Storm-1516," a group associated with Russian military intelligence.

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The creator is likely Storm 1516 – an operation linked to Russian military intelligence.

This group is also suspected of spreading disinformation during the 2025 general elections. "Storm-1516" has reportedly conducted at least 77 disinformation operations targeting Western countries between late 2023 and March 2025, according to France's Viginum agency, which monitors foreign disinformation campaigns. The German domestic intelligence service noted that the video demonstrates the creators' keen attention to German political events and their opportunistic exploitation of them.

The fake video further suggested Merz would be succeeded by Hendrik Wuest, the Minister-President of North Rhine-Westphalia and a CDU representative. While German media had previously speculated about such a scenario, and doubts about Merz's future might resurface after upcoming state elections in eastern Germany where the CDU is expected to perform poorly, the video contained a clear error: it mentioned "September federal elections," which are not scheduled. This tactic of presenting fabricated claims as reports from recognized media organizations is a common disinformation technique. German authorities have accused Moscow of orchestrating disinformation and sabotage campaigns aimed at weakening German support for Ukraine.

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its creators closely follow political events in Germany and opportunistically exploit them.