Fake AI-generated videos about the risk of a Russian strike on the production of TAURUS missiles in Bavaria are spreading on TikTok. The origin of the videos is unknown; they stoke the fears of ordinary Germans regarding war, writes Bayerischer Rundfunk.
Videos in German, created using artificial intelligence, are spreading on the social network TikTok, telling a fictional scenario of a Russian missile strike on the production of TAURUS cruise missiles in the Bavarian town of Schrobenhausen. Such videos play on the fears of ordinary Germans regarding war, experts interviewed by the Bayerischer Rundfunk (BR) stated. "These videos may pursue commercial goals while simultaneously serving the interests of Russia, which is conducting a hybrid war," the material published on Friday, October 10, emphasizes.
Experts interviewed by BR stated that a Russian attack on Schrobenhausen is extremely unlikely. It would directly trigger the application of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, which Russia, according to experts, is trying to avoid. Meanwhile, analysts believe that aggressive actions by Moscow of a different, smaller format are possible - such as blocking supply chains of weapons for Ukraine, which is waging a defensive war, or disrupting the operation of critical infrastructure in Germany.
Views of Threatening Videos Reach Hundreds of Thousands
The videos being circulated contain no evidence of an allegedly threatening attack, BR emphasizes. Nevertheless, their reach is significant: one of the videos has nearly 700,000 views, over 22,000 likes, and more than 3,000 comments. In these, TikTok users exchange opinions on how far their homes are from Schrobenhausen. Some fear a nuclear strike, writes BR, quoting several comments: "There will be no more asparagus growing there," "The first missile will fall in Schrobenhausen."
In addition to the AI-generated videos about the Bavarian town, other videos circulating on TikTok aim to amplify the fear of Germans regarding war. Some of them show a map of Germany, where a hand with a colored pencil marks which regions would be most affected by a Russian attack. Additional psychological impact is enhanced by captions like "Russia is advancing" or "Russia's invasion is beginning."
The origin and purpose of these TikTok videos are unknown. "What is common to all the videos is that they are generated by artificial intelligence and that they could actually be created by a 13-year-old in a child's room," said political scientist Konstantinos Tsetsos from the Bundeswehr University in Munich. In his opinion, the videos about Schrobenhausen could have been created either by one person or a whole "troll factory."
Threats Against Bavaria Were Heard on Russian TV in May
The likely source of claims about the risk of a strike on Schrobenhausen is a broadcast from Russian state television at the end of May 2025. It refers to the words of Igor Korotchenko, chairman of the Public Council under the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation: in the broadcast, he threatened to attack the defense company MBDA - the manufacturer of TAURUS missiles.
"If confirmed strikes using TAURUS cruise missiles by the Armed Forces of Ukraine occur against targets deep within Russian territory, we will have to qualify this as Germany entering the war against Russia," Korotchenko was quoted by the state agency "RIA Novosti" on May 28.
Fear of War is Widespread in Germany
As BR writes, citing a survey by the Berlin Center for Monitoring and Strategy (CeMAS), the fear of war is widespread among the German population. Thus, 41% of respondents stated that they fear a Third World War, while 38% consider new wars in Europe likely.
Despite the growing threats from Russia, one should not succumb to panic, emphasizes Tsetsos: "If the main goal of the opponent is to sow fear and horror, then we play into their hands if we fall into them." Political scientist Stefan Meister from the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) in Berlin agrees with his opinion. "I consider it very unlikely that Russia will launch a missile strike against NATO countries," Bayerischer Rundfunk quotes him.
When confronted with such videos, experts advise analyzing events and thinking critically to avoid being influenced in their own thinking and feelings.
