
AfD politician Hans-Thomas Tillschneider, deputy parliamentary group leader in Saxony-Anhalt’s state legislature and deputy state chair of the party, has a black mug bearing the red star and Cyrillic inscription “Armee Russlands” in his constituency office in Querfurt. Journalist Paul Ronzheimer of *Welt* discovered the item during an interview on Aug. 30, 2026, and asked Tillschneider why a Russian Army mug was present. Tillschneider replied, “Die hat mir jemand geschenkt. Ich wollt’ sie jetzt nicht wegtun,” adding that it was a souvenir from a Russia trip in 2023 or 2024 and that he did not understand the “scandalization” of the object .
When pressed by Ronzheimer that the mug bore the insignia of the army attacking Ukraine and conducting hybrid warfare against Germany, Tillschneider stated, “Ich verbinde damit nichts Besonderes. Es ist eine Tasse, die mir hier geschenkt wurde, die hier rumsteht,” and added, “Es ist nicht unser Krieg.” He later told Ronzheimer to stop asking about “this stupid mug,” saying, “Jetzt hören Sie mit dieser blöden Tasse auf, ja,” and that “Staaten haben keine Freunde, Staaten haben Interessen” .
Tillschneider attempted to prevent publication of the footage, with Ronzheimer stating in his podcast that the politician sought to block it due to what he called the journalist’s “impertinent behavior.” Ronzheimer responded that free media would not be restricted .
The 48-year-old Tillschneider is considered a potential minister should the AfD gain government responsibility after Saxony-Anhalt’s state election, scheduled for next Sunday. The party’s state branch is classified as “confirmed right-wing extremist” by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, the Verfassungsschutz .
Other items observed in Tillschneider’s office include a “Make America Great Again” cap from Donald Trump’s campaign, a book titled *Das Buch Hitler*, and a volume of conversations with AfD colleague Björn Höcke, who was convicted for using Nazi slogans .
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