A local official of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in Lower Saxony has joined the Russian armed forces, prompting the party’s regional leadership to begin expulsion proceedings, German media reported on July 6.
Noah Krieger, who also uses the name Murat Dadayev, posted photographs on Instagram showing himself in Russian military uniform and at locations in the devastated Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, which has been occupied by Russian forces. The images confirmed his enlistment in Russia’s army, according to the reports.
Investigative material cited by the media indicates that Krieger has established ties with Ramzan Kadyrov, the head of Russia’s Chechnya region. He visited Grozny, met Kadyrov personally, and—according to the investigation—presented the Chechen leader with a souvenir bearing Nazi-era Luftwaffe insignia from the Third Reich.
The AfD’s local branch in Lower Saxony said it had initiated the procedure to expel Krieger from the party following the disclosure of his military service with Russia.
The case adds to a pattern of far-right figures in Germany expressing support for Moscow’s war in Ukraine. Krieger’s public embrace of Nazi symbolism and his direct connection to a Russian regional leader have drawn particular attention, given the AfD’s efforts to distance itself from extremist elements while seeking broader electoral appeal.
The development is being closely watched as Germany debates whether to take legal steps against the party, which has been classified in some states as a suspected extremist organization. No timeline for the expulsion process was given.
