Russia's Storm-156 disinformation campaign fools Europe with fake stadium funding claim
A false report claimed Germany had spent €1.4 billion on a Brazilian football stadium. The story spread in January 2026, framing it as a waste of taxpayer funds. Investigations later revealed it was part of a wider Russian disinformation effort called Storm-156. The claim first appeared on a Brazilian website, suggesting German taxpayers had funded a stadium in Belém. Another false story from the same campaign alleged that Angelina Jolie’s Ukraine visit cost U.S. taxpayers $20 million. Both narratives were traced back to Storm-156, a network linked to Alexander Dugin’s Center for Geopolitical Expertise.
The German government confirmed the findings after a parliamentary inquiry. A study by the Center for Monitoring, Analysis, and Strategy (CeMAS) also verified the disinformation campaign’s origins. While authorities cannot block such content on Telegram under the Digital Services Act, the Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is working to raise awareness about false claims. Officials are now considering diplomatic responses to counter foreign manipulation of information.
The German government has acknowledged the threat posed by Storm-156. No legal action can be taken against Telegram under current EU rules. However, efforts to expose and counter the disinformation continue through public awareness campaigns.
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