The German publication Bild, while filming in the office of the deputy leader of Alternative for Germany in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, noticed a mug with a red star and the inscription “Army of Russia”. After that, the politician, through a lawyer, tried to ban the publication of the footage.
The German publication Bild was filming a report on the upcoming elections in Saxony-Anhalt, and during the shoot showed that Tillschneider himself gave a tour of his office and demonstrated several souvenirs to the film crew. Footage of this was published in Bild’s report.
Among the souvenirs was a black mug with a red star and the inscription “Army of Russia”. The politician said: “The mug is just standing here. I don’t attach much importance to it. Someone gave it to me once”, and later added: “Enough already about this stupid mug”.
After the filming ended, his lawyer tried to prohibit Bild from publishing the footage taken in the office. Tillschneider himself stated that the presence of the mug does not mean his solidarity with Russian military personnel.
Bild writes that such a souvenir is sold in a Russian store of military clothing and memorabilia, “Army of Russia”, for about eight euros, and the official partner of the store is listed as the Russian Ministry of Defense. Within the AfD, Tillschneider is regarded as belonging to the party’s most pro-Russian wing.
After the start of the full-scale invasion, he traveled to Russia, but cut the trip short after criticism from the party leadership. In October 2025, he took part in an event at the Russian Embassy on the occasion of Putin’s birthday. Elections to the Saxony-Anhalt parliament will take place on September 6, and polls give the AfD at least 40% of the vote.
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