According to new reporting by investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi, individuals allegedly sent by the Kremlin to influence Hungary’s election campaign have already arrived in Budapest weeks ago.
The claims were published in the newsletter of the international investigative outlet VSquare and reported by Hungarian media outlets.
Team allegedly sent to assist Orbán’s re-election
Panyi reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin tasked a group of so-called “political technologists” with influencing Hungary’s election campaign and helping Prime Minister Viktor Orbán secure victory.
The operation is reportedly coordinated by Sergey Kiriyenko, a close ally of Putin who currently serves as first deputy chief of staff in the Russian presidential administration. Kiriyenko previously led operations linked to alleged Russian interference in elections in Moldova.
According to the report, the Kremlin sent a three-member team connected to the GRU, Russia’s military intelligence agency.
Operatives reportedly enjoy diplomatic immunity
The three operatives are said to have entered Budapest several weeks ago. Panyi reported that they may be travelling with diplomatic or service passports, which could grant them diplomatic immunity while operating in Hungary.
Sources cited in the report claim the individuals’ identities are already known to intelligence services.
US intelligence shared information with allies
According to Panyi’s information, the United States has shared confidential intelligence regarding the alleged operation with its allies. Intelligence services are reportedly aware of the identities of the three GRU-linked individuals said to be involved.
The reports claim the team’s task is to support political operations aimed at shaping Hungary’s election campaign in favour of Orbán’s government.
Neither the Russian nor the Hungarian governments have publicly commented on the allegations.
If you missed it:
‘Report: Kremlin-linked operatives already in Budapest to influence Hungarian elections.’
Obviously the reporter does not come to this site – or else he would be of the opinion that there are many of us, and that we have already been here for many months.
This isn’t the only nasty thing the Russians are up to. They have been providing intelligence reports to Iran to assist their targeting of US military in the Middle East. Russia is the enemy and anyone who ally’s with them is the enemy – Iran, North Korea, Belarus, Fidesz.
“We cannot accept foreign interference in our democratic processes, and we will repel all such attempts,” the “2026 election will not be decided by foreign powers but by the Hungarian people.” Viktor Orban
You realize, that you base your claim on an unproven baseless statement, written by propagandists, who support Ukraine assasinating the Hungarian PM?
Could you make it less convincing then even that?
Maybe, but I don’t know how.
I wonder why anyone would be worried about a couple of dozen Russian agents prowling around Hungary when someone like Orban is running the government. I know. Three is not a couple of dozen, but just look at the number of Russian “diplomatic staff” that are assigned to Budapest these days. Putin has long been aware that Orban is the chink in the EU/NATO armor. What else would you expect him to do?
Isn’t it cute?
The “we need to give up our sovereignity, because we are currently isolated, and every great power interferes to keep the current government running”?
1, If every great power wants the current regime to continue, wouldn’t changing it lead to isolation?
2, If every great power supports Orbán, he isn’t isolated, is he?
3, Why would we abandon our close relationship with nations that matter, great powers, to increase our relationships with the likes of Luxembourg? My village has more people then the army of Luxembourg.
4, Should we belive people, that support Ukraine assasinate Orbán, that the Russians are involved? I don’t think so.
So, Steiner changed his name. How inventive! Still spewing the same lies as before.