DIE ZEIT · Sept. 2024 · Russian House Berlin Press Kit

What the article covers

Short portrait of Lindemeier in the context of the Brandenburg state election – the Russian House as a national issue, not just a Berlin story
Lindemeier stands in front of the House daily with his flag, calling "Slava Ukraini!" – and faces harassment and threats
Key quote: "I am ashamed that we are not sending Ukraine enough weapons"
The cultural centre is run by a Kremlin-aligned organisation – police are frequently called
Published in "Zeit im Osten" – national reach far beyond Berlin

Why it matters First national framing – the Russian House is not a local Berlin issue but a Germany-wide problem in the context of Russian influence operations.

This article was originally published in German. The following is an English summary of the key content.

Police are frequently called to the Russian House in Berlin. The cultural centre is run by a Kremlin-aligned organisation. Its operators are annoyed by Henry Lindemeier, who stands here every day with his blue and yellow flag.

"Slava Ukraini!" – "Glory to Ukraine!", he calls out to passers-by.

Lindemeier has experienced being spat on and physically threatened by visitors. Why does he keep going?

"I am ashamed that we are not sending Ukraine enough weapons so that it can defend itself and restore its borders."

The article appeared just days before the Brandenburg state election on 22 September 2024 – at a moment when the question of how to deal with Russia was particularly charged in eastern Germany. Lindemeier has family in Brandenburg. The issue shapes the election campaign there.

The Russian House on Friedrichstraße is run by Rossotrudnitschestwo – a Russian government agency on the EU sanctions list since July 2022. Despite this, operations continue. That a single individual like Henry Lindemeier is making this publicly visible is, in ZEIT's assessment, remarkable.

📄 Download full article as PDF (German)