Kremlin launches covert operation to help Orbán win election — The Insider
Putin mobilizes intel services in support of Orbán (photo: Getty Images)
Propaganda mechanisms, Russian presidential administration's role
The outlet says after the dismantling of Yevgeny Prigozhin's structures, control over disinformation operations was transferred to the Russian Presidential Administration under Sergei Kiriyenko. The main contractor is Structura, owned by Ilya Gambashidze.
The primary methods include the Doppelgänger tactic (creating fake clones of well-known Western media outlets) and the spread of viral memes.
In Hungary, a bot network known as Matryoshka has been identified, spreading disinformation under the guise of outlets such as DW, Euronews, and Kyiv Independent, including false claims about assassination attempts on Orbán and alleged "aggression" by Ukraine.
AI use, attacks on opposition
Numerous AI-generated videos have been detected on TikTok and Facebook. These videos attempt to frighten Hungarians with the prospect of mobilization to fight for Ukraine if the opposition Tisza party and its leader, Péter Magyar, win the election.
Attempts to discredit Orbán's critics have also been recorded. In particular, a campaign targeting pastor Gábor Ivanyi involved false accusations spread through purposefully created short-lived websites.
Photo: The Insider
Photo: The Insider
Photo: The Insider
Photo: The Insider
Russian intelligence's involvement, 'talking points' for media
According to investigators, operations in Budapest are being coordinated by officers of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), including Alexei Zarudnev, under diplomatic cover.
Russian diplomats are providing pro-government Hungarian journalists with "talking points" portraying Ukraine as a tool of the West and Orbán as the sole defender of sovereignty.
One of the key amplifiers of Russian narratives in Hungary is said to be the analyst Georg Spöttle, whose messaging fully aligns with the Russian embassy's guidelines.
Hungary election, Kremlin's trace
This Sunday, April 12, Hungary will hold a parliamentary election, in which Viktor Orbán could lose power for the first time in many years. The main contest is currently between the incumbent prime minister and opposition leader Péter Magyar.
Earlier, the European Parliament warned of serious threats to the integrity of the electoral process due to large-scale Russian interference, the use of "dirty" tactics, and state pressure.
In addition, according to media reports, the Kremlin is already considering the possibility that Orbán's party could lose. Russian leadership is preparing the ground to blame the Hungarian side in case of defeat, claiming they failed even with Moscow's support.
