Russia stirs up hate against von der Leyen amid Ukraine war

A suspected GPS sabotage forced European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's plane to divert from its course — and in Russia, the incident quickly made her the focus of mockery and smear campaigns. 

The politician had flown to Bulgaria on August 31. The GPS disruption of the aircraft resulted in an unscheduled landing in the city of Plovdiv.

Authorities in Bulgaria suspect that Moscow was behind the attack and link it to Russia’s war against Ukraine. However, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova dismissed the allegations as "fake and paranoia."

The insults and defamation of the EU Commission President are falling on fertile ground in Russia. The 66-year-old von der Leyen has emerged as a top target of Russian hate propaganda.

Below-the-belt insults

Former Russian president and now Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev frequently attacks the Commission President on social media. One of his "favorite insults" directed at von der Leyen is calling her "an evil aunt gynecologist."

In Russian public discourse, the German politician's entire career is often reduced to the few years she worked as an assistant doctor at a women's clinic in Hanover. Her studies in archaeology, economics, and medicine, as well as her service as a minister at both the state and federal levels — including as Minister of Labor and Minister of Defense —are rarely mentioned.

In December 2022, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova wrote on the Telegram messenger app: "Given the current state of the European Union, it has become clear why a gynecologist was appointed president of the European Commission."

Zakharova's boss, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, dubbed von der Leyen "Führer Ursula" in March 2025 after she spoke out in favor of strengthening the EU's defense capabilities.  

Indecent quips about von der Leyen, meanwhile, have become routine for the hosts of popular political talk shows on Russian television.

Why are these attacks happening?

Experts interviewed by DW cite several possible reasons for the smear campaigns against von der Leyen in Russia. Among them are her high-ranking position, her policies, and her gender.  

Medvedev's comments were aimed at "ridiculing von der Leyen and portraying her as a politician who cannot be taken seriously," says Susanne Spahn, an expert on Russian propaganda at the University of Passau. The Kremlin's goal, she says, is to "weaken and divide the EU as an international player."

Stefan Meister from the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) points to von der Leyen's role in supporting Ukraine, but says that gender also plays a key role. "It's clear that Putin's system is characterized by toxic masculinity, and he rejects women in politics," he said.

"At the same time, the EU is seen as a central enemy after US policy under Donald Trump moved closer to Russia. Von der Leyen combines both aspects: the EU as something weak, and at the same time 'evil' from Russia's perspective, as it provides significant support to Ukraine."

Andreas Umland from the Stockholm Center for East European Studies compares the verbal attacks on von der Leyen with Russia's treatment of former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

Ursula von der Leyen faces similar aggression as Hillary Clinton did

"Russia's antipathy towards Ursula von der Leyen recalls the former Russian campaign against Hillary Clinton, who was also demonized by Kremlin-controlled media at the time," said Umland.

Both von der Leyen and Clinton are resolute female politicians with clear opinions on Putin's regime and considerable political influence in the EU and the United States, respectively.

"They are more hawks than doves in the political spectrums of their respective home countries when it comes to a critical assessment of Russia and military support for Ukraine," Umland added, pointing out that von der Leyen stands out with her particularly strong statements against Moscow. In 2022, she declared that Russia must suffer a "strategic defeat" in Ukraine.

Russian resentment running high

Russian President Vladimir Putin regularly repeats this phrase when he talks about the West's role in supporting Ukraine.

"In 2022, von der Leyen played a key role in nominating Ukraine as a candidate for EU membership. In 2025, she influenced the EU's geopolitical reorientation and strengthening of its defense responsibilities," Umland said.

She also developed a political friendship with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Against the backdrop of her firm stances and leadership, the expert says, it is hardly surprising that she "became the target of Russian smear campaigns."

This article was originally published in German.