German journalist and project manager Svitlana Vasylenko said this on Espreso TV.“At a major disinformation conference, I spoke with German colleagues. Interestingly, Russian influence is now being exercised not only aggressively, through visiting artists, but also via Russian liberals — for example, the wife of the late opposition leader. In Berlin, they organize concerts in memory of Navalny. People come together through various communities. Such events are often framed as tributes to cultural heritage. Many people who have lived in Germany for 20–30 years don’t take a clear stance and see it as something global and cultural,” Vasylenko noted.According to the journalist, Russia has recently begun involving bloggers whose parents once emigrated from the Soviet Union. These bloggers grew up in Germany, speak fluent German, and easily reconnect with their family roots. They are paid directly to share content portraying Russia in a positive light.“For instance, one blogger posted from Crimea, saying how great it is to vacation there. She claimed there’s no need to go to Ibiza anymore because Crimea is wonderful — and that this became possible after 2014,” Vasylenko said.She added that Russia is revising its influence strategies because it can no longer act openly, given the vigilant Ukrainian community that monitors theaters, films, and visiting artists. However, many Germans still don’t recognize the threat of this so-called ‘soft’ or cultural propaganda. Opera singer Anna Netrebko, for example, recently performed in several German cities, prompting protests by Ukrainians.“German media often spread false information about Ukrainians. There was a time when stories about Ukraine were written by Russians who had moved here 20–30 years ago. For many Germans, Ukraine and Russia are still seen as the same, and Ukrainian and Russian languages are perceived as identical. This mindset must be challenged,” Vasylenko concluded.