Anti-propaganda project Sprotyv.Info discussed the issue.Moscow’s influence is evident in rising support for the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD) in eastern states of the country. The Kremlin resorts to ideological, organizational, and media channels to back extremist groups seeking to undermine democracy or push regional separatism.Eastern Germany’s economic and social disparities since unification fuel support for AfD. The region lags in GDP and employment, feels neglected after privatization, and voters often see themselves as second-class citizens, “creating fertile ground for extremism and hybrid influence.”In many eastern districts, weak infrastructure and post-unification factory closures have driven youth to the West or big cities, leaving rural areas with underfunded education, healthcare, and transport. The party exploits these economic and cultural sentiments, promising to “defend borders,” criticizing immigration, stressing “traditional values,” and opposing climate policies, which many see as costs rather than benefits.“This creates an environment where populist rhetoric about 'bringing back' power or opposing 'big Berlin' is successful,” the outlet notes.In addition, migration from the former USSR brought many ethnic Germans to eastern Germany, where challenges of identity and adaptation created space for protest politics. Some became receptive to propaganda about hostility toward Russian speakers or pro-Russian narratives linked to culture, media, and Soviet memory.According to a 2024 Pew Research Center survey, up to 45% of Alternative for Germany supporters view Vladimir Putin positively, while the rate among other voters is much lower.“Amid the growing support for Alternative for Germany in the eastern states, one of Germany’s key foreign policy positions — support for Ukraine — is at risk,” the project emphasized.The far-right party actively opposes military aid to Ukraine and supports lifting sanctions against Russia, creating challenges for Berlin amid the war, worrying allies, and risking the erosion of domestic consensus on supporting Kyiv.“Russia actively exploits these divisions through hybrid operations aimed at weakening democracy in Germany and destabilizing European unity,” Sprotyv.Info noted.The project analysts argue that countering these challenges requires addressing the economic gap between East and West Germany, promoting social integration, and rebuilding public trust in democratic institutions. Equally important is reinforcing information security and countering Russian propaganda.