A 22-year-old member of Germany’s far-right, pro-Russian Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party has been revealed to have secretly joined the fight on Ukraine’s side – and now faces expulsion from his own political home.
According to an investigation by Die Welt, Tim Schramm, deputy chairman of the AfD (Alternative for Germany) district association in Wuppertal, Germany, first arrived in Ukraine in 2022 delivering humanitarian aid. But his involvement quickly deepened. In late 2024, after being initially rejected by the International Legion, Schramm joined the Ukrainian Territorial Defense Forces (TDF) and served on the eastern front, taking part in combat operations against Russian troops.
Schramm gave an interview to Nius.de, explaining his motivations. He said he and other AfD members in North Rhine-Westphalia had long held “transatlantic views” and supported Ukraine. He described Russia as “an authoritarian country permeated with propaganda.” In a striking statement, Schramm told nius.de: “The Ukrainian fight is also a German one.”
Photos published on media accounts show him in Ukrainian uniform, reportedly participating in reconnaissance and defensive missions near Bakhmut and in the Donetsk region.
His public statements directly contradict the AfD’s longstanding position, which often echoes Kremlin narratives and opposes German military aid to Ukraine.
Now, Schramm’s own party is turning against him. Senior AfD officials have initiated disciplinary proceedings, accusing him of violating party rules and undermining its foreign policy stance. His military service for Ukraine, combined with public statements that challenge the party’s line, may lead to his formal expulsion.
Beyond party loyalty
The scandal exposes ideological fractures within the AfD. While the party has been repeatedly criticized for spreading pro-Moscow disinformation and justifying Russia’s full-scale invasion, Schramm’s personal actions suggest not all members toe the Kremlin line.
In Germany, where the AfD is under surveillance by intelligence services for alleged extremism and has surged in polls partly due to anti-Ukraine rhetoric, Schramm’s case is causing outrage, confusion – and debate.
For Ukraine, however, the story is simpler. A European came to defend freedom. The fact that he came from the least likely political background only underscores the moral clarity of Ukraine’s struggle.