A prestigious Moscow university has been exposed as a key hub in Russia’s cyber warfare strategy, according to a major international investigation based on more than 2,000 leaked documents. The revelations suggest that Bauman Moscow State Technical University is not only educating engineers, but quietly preparing future hackers, spies and saboteurs for GRU operations.
The files, analysed by a consortium of journalists from Delfi Estonia, Der Spiegel, FRONTSTORY, The Guardian, The Insider, Le Monde, and VSquare describe a secretive “Department No. 4” that does not appear on official organisational charts. This covert unit reportedly channels top-performing students directly into military intelligence roles linked to cyberattacks, election interference and sabotage activities across Europe.
From top Russia’s students to intelligence operatives
Among those highlighted is Daniil Porshin, a standout engineering student who graduated in 2024. Alongside standard cybersecurity training, he reportedly studied offensive techniques such as password cracking, malware creation and server intrusion. Shortly after graduating, he joined GRU Unit 26165, widely known as “Fancy Bear,” a group accused of high-profile cyber operations targeting Western institutions.
Each year, around 10 to 15 students are pre-selected and assigned to GRU units even before completing their studies. Some are linked to notorious divisions such as Unit 74455, also known as “Sandworm,” which has been blamed for cyberattacks on Ukraine’s power grid and political interference abroad.
Courses in hacking, propaganda and surveillance
The leaked curriculum reveals a blend of technical expertise and psychological manipulation. Students are trained in exploiting vulnerabilities, launching distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, and deploying malware. Practical exercises include hacking test servers and simulating real-world cyber intrusions.
More strikingly, the programme also incorporates propaganda techniques and “experimental psychology.” Students learn how to craft manipulative social media content to influence public opinion, reflecting a broader strategy of information warfare.
The teaching materials also include very extreme Kremlin sentiments taught to students. One of these claim that the war in Ukraine was actually “inevitable”, and that there are only “nationalists and neo-Nazis” in charge in Kyiv, while Russians in the Donbas face “genocide” that is being backed by the West, especially European states.
Military links and international concerns
The programme is overseen by figures with direct ties to Russian intelligence. One key lecturer, Lieutenant Colonel Kirill Stupakov, is described in the documents as both an academic and an active GRU officer. Senior intelligence figures have also reportedly participated in evaluating students.
The findings come amid growing warnings from European officials. Countries such as Poland and Germany have reported rising cyber threats, while Sweden has accused Russia of carrying out persistent digital attacks against EU institutions.
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Hungarian connection emerges
The investigation also uncovered a Hungarian link. One instructor, Dmitriy Velikorodnyy, was born in Budapest and is the son of a Soviet soldier once stationed in Hungary. Now a senior instructor, he specialises in defence against chemical, biological and nuclear threats, highlighting the programme’s broader military scope.
Experts say the revelations demonstrate the “militarisation of education” in Russia, where academic institutions play a direct role in preparing specialists for hybrid warfare. Graduates often move straight into intelligence roles, sometimes even adopting false identities for covert operations abroad.
What’s next? Russia wants to abandon Hungary’s Paks II nuclear plant?
Featured image: Anadolu/Syrian Presidency
This is Russia. It’s a malevolent sh*thole. When their neighbour builds a better house than what they have instead of trying to build a better house for themselves they try to burn their neighbour’s house down. Their best talent is recruited not for constructive purposes to build society but to destroy that which others have created. Those are Orban’s “friends”.
Hungary has secretly expelled Russian diplomat Arthur Sushkov, who was identified as an officer of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service who spent years infiltrating the country’s right-wing elite, RBC-Ukraine reports, citing a VSquare investigation.
According to the publication, Artur Sushkov, 36, the third secretary of the Russian Embassy, was forced to leave Budapest on May 4, 2026, because of activities incompatible with diplomatic status.
Hungarian authorities identified him as an undercover agent who was recruiting informants and gathering intelligence from pro-government think tanks.
Security services had proposed expelling the diplomat as early as February 2026, but the government of former Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban blocked the decision for political reasons during the election campaign.
The expulsion operation was only completed after Orban’s election defeat, when political obstacles to the counterintelligence operation disappeared.
The Russian intelligence agent was trying to obtain data on Hungary’s domestic politics, plans for the Paks-2 nuclear power plant project, and was also gathering information on Budapest’s relations with Ukraine.
The agent used expensive gifts and the promise of cash rewards for handing over official documents to recruit him.
In addition, the investigation revealed audio recordings showing coordination between Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó and Sergei Lavrov to block Ukraine’s accession to the EU.
Despite Sushkov’s expulsion, dozens of identified intelligence officers under diplomatic cover remain at the Russian Embassy in Budapest.
Experts note that Hungary’s previous government often relaxed measures against Russian spies, making the country an attractive platform for hostile operations against NATO and Schengen countries.