AfD deputy Hans-Thomas Tillschneider defends Russian army mug in office

Discovery during constituency office tour

Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, the deputy leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) in Saxony-Anhalt, defended the presence of a Russian military souvenir mug in his constituency office in Querfurt. The item was discovered by journalist Paul Ronzheimer during the filming of a state election report for Bild am Sonntag and YouTube. Prior to recorded interviews, Tillschneider offered a tour of the premises to show several souvenirs, which included the black mug displaying a red star and the Cyrillic lettering "Armee Russlands" (Army of Russia). In Russia, the mug is sold for approximately 8 euros through the official online shop of the brand Armija Rossii, which lists the Russian Ministry of Defence as an official partner. No memorabilia from other armed forces, including the German Bundeswehr, was present in the room.

Exchange and legal intervention

When Ronzheimer asked why the office displayed merchandise associated with the armed forces attacking Ukraine and conducting hybrid warfare against Germany, Tillschneider rejected the premise of the inquiry. The politician stated that the item was a personal gift brought back from a trip abroad.

It is a souvenir from a trip to Russia in 2023 or 2024, about which there have already been multiple reports. In this respect, we do not understand the scandalization.

As questioning continued regarding his relationship with the Russian military, Tillschneider dismissed the conflict as outside German interests and demanded an end to the topic.

Stop with this stupid mug now, yes. They are, so to speak, neither enemies nor friends. States do not have friends, states have interests.

Following the recording session, Tillschneider engaged legal counsel in an attempt to prohibit the broadcast of the footage gathered inside his office, telling the German Press Agency that the release should be stopped due to impertinent conduct by Ronzheimer and his crew. Ronzheimer released the complete report on YouTube.

These are free media and of course we will not let that be taken away from us.

Political standing and past incidents

Tillschneider holds key leadership posts as deputy state chairman and deputy parliamentary group leader for AfD Saxony-Anhalt, a state party branch classified as a confirmed right-wing extremist entity by the domestic intelligence agency (Bundesamt für Verfassungsschutz). He is regarded as a prospective education minister if the AfD enters government following the upcoming state parliamentary election on Sunday, having advocated changes to school history curricula.

The incident adds to previous scrutiny regarding Tillschneider's contacts with Russia and contentious media appearances. In September 2022, he participated in a planned trip to Russia and occupied eastern Ukraine with two party colleagues, which was aborted after the federal AfD leadership distanced itself from the travel plans. One week before the Querfurt encounter, Tillschneider walked out of a Berlin studio during a recording of the Funke Media podcast "Amann unframed" after journalist Melanie Amann asked questions concerning party colleague Björn Höcke.

I thought this was about my book. I thought it was about my person. You ask me about Björn Höcke, about whoever else. And that is why I want to end this here now. I do not have to let myself be treated like this.