Berlin warns of Russian disinformation via sanctioned outlet Red

Germany has accused Russia of employing the online media platform Red as a tool to sow discontent and manipulate public opinion within German society, in what officials describe as part of a broader disinformation campaign linked to the war in Ukraine.

“Red presents itself as a revolutionary platform for independent journalists. However, it has close links with the Russian state media outlet RT,” a spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry said during a press briefing in Berlin on July 2, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

“Today we can confirm that Red is being used by Russia specifically to manipulate information,” the spokesperson added, highlighting the German government's growing concerns over foreign influence operations targeting domestic audiences.

Red is operated by the Turkish media company AFA Medya, whose founder, Huseyin Dogru, has also come under scrutiny. Both Dogru and AFA Medya are already subject to European Union sanctions imposed in connection with Russian efforts to destabilize democratic institutions in the EU.

The EU has accused Dogru and his media platform of “undermining the democratic political process” in Germany, citing their involvement in spreading pro-Kremlin narratives and amplifying divisive content.

Following the imposition of sanctions, Red announced on May 16 that it would cease operations. Despite the closure, German officials remain vigilant, emphasizing the need to counter ongoing attempts at information manipulation amid Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine.

By Vafa Guliyeva