A Russian media outlet accused of spreading Kremlin-friendly narratives has moved its editorial address to Budapest, but its contact page lists a surprising name as editor-in-chief: Mária Schmidt, the former director of the House of Terror Museum, a close friend of former PM Viktor Orbán. She denies any connection to the publication and says she had never heard of it.
Govorit Europa, a multilingual website presenting itself as an independent European media project, has moved its listed editorial address from Berlin to Budapest. The outlet regularly publishes content criticising Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, questioning Ukraine’s political independence and portraying Western policy towards Russia as a threat to European security.
Investigative outlet Átlátszó noticed that the website’s contact page names Mária Schmidt as editor-in-chief. Schmidt, the historian and former director of Budapest’s House of Terror Museum, told the publication that she had nothing to do with the outlet.
“I am not the editor-in-chief of the newspaper. Until now, I did not even know that such a publication existed,” she said.
From Berlin to Budapest, with servers in Kazakhstan
Govorit previously operated under the govorit.eu domain and listed a Berlin address. It subsequently moved to govorit.tv, while its editorial contact address was changed to one in Hungary. Its servers were reportedly relocated to Kazakhstan.
The outlet says European authorities pressured the project, forcing it to leave EU-based hosting services. It claims the move was necessary because of restrictions on its content, which it presents as a matter of freedom of expression.
However, its activities have attracted interest from foreign authorities. In May 2026, the British government imposed sanctions on Govorit, identifying it as part of a Russia-linked foreign information manipulation network whose activities were intended to destabilise Ukraine.
The measures include asset freezes and restrictions relating to internet services. The British designation concerns the outlet’s alleged role in information operations, rather than simply its publication of pro-Russian opinions.
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Links to previously sanctioned media platforms
Govorit’s history is connected to two earlier platforms, Golos and Euromore. According to the British government, these websites presented themselves as independent media outlets while distributing material serving Russian state interests.
British authorities have also pointed to possible financial support through Pravfond, a Russian organisation officially dedicated to protecting the rights of Russians living abroad. Estonian authorities have identified the organisation as a front linked to Russian military intelligence, the GRU.
The UK subsequently sanctioned Govorit and Euroview, a related platform, in May 2026.
Govorit publishes content in numerous languages, including Hungarian, English, German, French, Ukrainian and Russian. This allows similar narratives to reach audiences across different countries, with locally targeted websites potentially appearing in search results in their respective languages.
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Who is behind the Budapest operation?
Despite the change of address, key details about Govorit’s Hungarian presence is unclear. It has not been established which legal entity operates the Budapest office, who finances its activities in Hungary, how many people actually work in the country or how the operation is connected to its previous operators.
Átlátszó also visited the address listed on the website, on Paulay Ede Street in Budapest, but found no identifiable editorial office or publishing company.
The outlet’s editor-in-chief could not be reached for comment. Schmidt’s name therefore remains an unexplained feature of the website rather than evidence that she is involved in its operation.
