Friedrich Merz’s outspoken support for Ukraine has put him in the crosshairs of Russian disinformation campaigns, which not only generate false stories but also amplify them through networks of pro-Kremlin influencers. ISD analyst Pablo Maristany de las Casas told Politico that Merz’s efforts to mobilise the international community and speak out against Russia have made him a particularly prime target, with sham news sites and AI-generated content spreading false claims—like the widely debunked story that Merz had shot a mother polar bear and her cubs while in Canada for the G7 summit in June—to undermine his credibility.

The full article is available on Politico.