Russian Spies Targeting Students in Hungary
- 28 Jul 2026 11:15 AM
- Hungary Around the Clock
Russian intelligence is pursuing a long-term strategy to recruit Hungarian university students who could later become influential figures in Hungary and the EU, according to a report by Telex.
The aim is to build a network of contacts that could serve Russia’s interests in the next 10-20 years.
The report highlights a case in which a student failed a national security screening after concealing close ties to a Russian diplomat in Budapest, who allegedly encouraged him to apply for a government position.
The diplomat was not expelled.
Telex says the student had participated in Russia’s 2024 World Youth Festival in Sochi, an event promoting anti-Western narratives and designed to identify and cultivate future political, business, media, and civil society leaders.
According to the report, Russian agents assess participants’ political views, career ambitions, and susceptibility to influence in their recruitment efforts.
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