Germany has taken a significant step in its ongoing tensions with Russia by ordering the closure of Channel One’s local bureau in Berlin, citing national security concerns and the broadcaster’s role in shaping public opinion within the European Union. The German government has given the bureau employees, Ivan Blagoy and Dmitry Volkov, orders to leave the country by the first half of December, a move that is sure to escalate diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
The closure comes amidst a broader context of strained relations between Germany and Russia, particularly following the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent European sanctions on Russia. The German government has long been critical of Russian state-controlled media, which it accuses of spreading propaganda and manipulating public opinion, particularly regarding Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The official German statement that accompanied the order noted that Channel One’s activities pose “a major and direct threat to public order and security in Germany and the European Union.” It further argued that the broadcaster’s work undermines public decision-making processes across EU member states, a claim reflecting growing concern over Russian influence campaigns in Europe.
The Channel One crew had been active in Germany for several years, reporting on a range of issues involving Russia and the broader international community. However, the closure is understood to have come in response to a specific incident: Channel One’s recent coverage of the arrest of a German citizen, Nikolai Gaiduk, in Russia. Gaiduk was reportedly involved in a plot to sabotage a gas metering station in Kaliningrad in the spring of 2024, and the broadcast included detailed reporting on his activities and connections to Ukrainian special services. The Channel One report highlighted Gaiduk’s background, his links to Ukrainian operatives, and even revealed the street in Hamburg where he had met his supposed handler.
This investigative reporting, which exposed sensitive details about the alleged sabotage operation, appears to have triggered a swift response from the German authorities. Ivan Blagoy, a reporter with Channel One, expressed frustration over the German decision, insisting that the broadcaster had not violated any local laws and that the authorities had failed to provide any substantive legal grounds for the expulsion. “We have not violated German laws while staying in Germany, and we meet all necessary criteria,” Blagoy said during a live broadcast, lamenting the German authorities’ actions as unfair and politically motivated.
In response to the German decision, Russian authorities have indicated that they will announce retaliatory measures. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova confirmed that Moscow would take steps to address the closure, although details of the measures were not immediately disclosed. The expulsion of Channel One’s reporters is part of a broader trend where both Russia and Western countries have targeted each other’s media presence in their respective territories. The closure of Channel One’s bureau in Berlin highlights the growing rift between Russia and the West, particularly as both sides seek to control the narrative surrounding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The German government’s actions are also indicative of the increasing scrutiny on Russian state-sponsored media in the EU. With mounting concerns over disinformation campaigns, especially in the lead-up to important political events in the EU, Germany’s decision reflects broader efforts to curb foreign influence in European media landscapes. Channel One, as one of Russia’s most prominent state-owned broadcasters, has long been viewed with suspicion in the West for its portrayal of Russian foreign policy and its role in shaping Russian public opinion, particularly on issues such as the Ukraine conflict.
As the situation develops, the expulsion of Channel One’s reporters from Berlin marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing battle over media influence and state control of information between Russia and Europe. With tensions continuing to rise, this move is likely to have far-reaching consequences for diplomatic relations and media freedoms, not only between Germany and Russia but across the broader European Union.
