Kremlin planning to use “pacifists” for anti-Ukrainian actions at Munich Conference – DIU

As reported by Ukrinform, this was stated by the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (DIU) on Facebook.

One of the main participants in the Kremlin-beneficial campaign, which will include street-based anti-Ukrainian actions and coordinated information activity, will be Friedensbewegung (“Peace Movement”).

“The narratives that will be promoted during the campaign in Moscow’s interests are aimed at whitewashing the Kremlin’s criminal policy and stopping Western assistance to the Ukrainian people in the war against the aggressor state of Russia, including claims such as ‘support for Ukraine provokes World War III,’ ‘the EU and NATO are aggressors,’ and ‘Russia poses no threat to Europe,’” the DIU said.

Friedensbewegung is a so-called “decentralized network of anti-war, pacifist, and anti-militarist initiatives, groups, and coalitions” that was formed in the 1950s–1980s to oppose NATO policies and the deployment of nuclear weapons, particularly in West Germany.

“Notably, the most active participants in Friedensbewegung today are individuals connected to Russian intelligence services,” the DIU emphasized.

Among them is Yelena Kolbasnikova (born March 20, 1975). She organized a number of anti-Ukrainian rallies in Cologne and Düsseldorf and openly supports the Putin regime. In 2023, she obtained Russian citizenship.

Also acting in the Kremlin’s interests is Kolbasnikova’s partner, Max Schlund (Rostislav Tesliuk, born April 23, 1985). Closely linked to so-called Russian “Cossacks,” Schlund helped organize pro-Kremlin rallies in Germany.

In 2024, following searches conducted by German prosecutors at the homes of Schlund and Kolbasnikova on suspicion of illegal weapons possession, both fled to Russia.

Another participant in the campaign who plays a key role in spreading the Kremlin’s agenda within the Friedensbewegung network is Vyacheslav Zeeswald. The so-called “pro-Russian activist” systematically promotes Moscow’s narratives in Germany and glorifies the criminal policies of Russian dictator Vladimir Putin through his Telegram channel. Zeeswald maintains contacts with Russian intelligence services and far-right organizations in Europe.

“The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine emphasizes that the three individuals mentioned above, along with other leading members of Friedensbewegung, use various methods to disseminate Kremlin narratives – sometimes disguising them as so-called ‘peace initiatives.’ In reality, the core of their activities in Germany and Europe as a whole is to whitewash Russia’s image after committing numerous war crimes in Ukraine and to promote capitulationist narratives about the alleged need to satisfy all of Moscow’s demands for the sake of ‘world peace,’” the DIU stressed.

As reported by Ukrinform, the Defense Intelligence of Ukraine, together with the Ministry of Youth and Sports, has published data on 15 Russian athletes who, despite openly supporting the war and serving in Russian security structures, are seeking to participate in international competitions.