A German far-right politician auctions Russian military mug

Hans-Thomas Tilschneider, an ideologue of the far-right party 'Alternative for Germany' (AfD) in the federal state of Saxony-Anhalt, has put up on eBay a mug belonging to him with the inscription 'Army of Russia'.

Consensus

Hans-Thomas Tillich, a deputy head of the AfD in Saxony-Anhalt, displayed a mug with 'Army of Russia' branding in his office.
The mug was discovered by a journalist from Bild during a visit to Tillich's office.
Tillich claimed the mug was a gift from a trip to Russia in 2023 or 2024 and stated he did not see any issue with it.
Tillich listed the mug on eBay, describing it as the 'most dangerous mug in Germany' and using a humorous tone.
The auction attracted significant attention and bids, with prices rising to nearly 2,000 euros.
The AfD won a decisive victory in the Saxony-Anhalt state elections, securing nearly 44% of the vote.
The event triggered political controversy over Tillich's pro-Russian sympathies and the party's stance on Russia.

Points of divergence

Tillich attempted to prevent the publication of the report featuring the mug. — tg_dwglavnoe
The bid reached $1,943 (about 195,000 rubles), and Tillich said the item caused sharp debates in Germany. — m24
The auction was launched on September 6, after the AfD's election victory, and the initial price was 1 euro, rising to 1,943 euros within a day. — meduza
Tillich tried to block the publication of photos from his office via a lawyer and visited a Putin birthday event in Berlin in October 2025. — tg_echoonline_news
Tino Brüggemann, a co-chair of AfD, stated the party aims to change sanctions policy and restore relations with Russia through the Bundesrat. — m24
Tillich stated that the war in Ukraine is not Germany's war. — meduza
Tillich canceled a trip to Russia after criticism from party leadership. — tg_echoonline_news

Coverage (5 sources)

Leader of AfD in Saxony-Anhalt put up for auction a mug "Russian Army" that caused a scandal before the elections — DW Главное
AdG member put a "Russian Army" mug up for auction, which became the cause of a scandal in Germany — Москва 24
Member of AfD put 'Russian Army' mug up for auction — Вести
Ideologue of 'Alternative for Germany' in Saxony-Anhalt put his Russian army-branded mug up for auction. It is offered for almost two thousand euros — Meduza
One of the leaders of the party 'Alternative for Germany' decided to sell his 'Russian Army' mug on an online auction — ЭХО / Новости

A German far-right politician auctions Russian military mug

Consensus

Points of divergence

Coverage (5 sources)

Key entities

More on Hans-Thomas Tilschneider

More on Hans-Thomas Tillshneider