Propagandists and Russian Intelligence Officers Operate Undercover at Embassy in Hungary — The Insider

At the Russian embassy in Budapest, Hungary, multiple propagandists and intelligence officers are reportedly working undercover, leveraging their diplomatic roles to influence local politics. This information comes from an investigation published by The Insider on April 8, which highlights the involvement of these individuals in Hungary's electoral campaigns.

According to sources within the embassy, Colonel Alexey Zarudnev, the naval attaché assigned to the GRU headquarters on Khoroshevskoye Highway in Moscow, is assisting Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban with intelligence matters. Meanwhile, Tigran Garibyan, the embassy's advisor-counselor, is responsible for managing relations with local media and shaping the embassy's public image.

Zarudnev has reportedly been flying to Hungary regularly since 2015, during which time he has established connections with agents in the Hungarian military, intelligence services, as well as among politicians and public figures. The colonel frequently attends official events hosted by the Russian embassy.

Among the attendees at events featuring Zarudnev are notable figures such as Endre Shimo, the leader of the Hungarian Peace Circle, who promotes Kremlin narratives, Tamás Hirschler, the head of the Hungarian Anti-Fascist League, and former Hungarian ambassador to Russia, György Gilián. Gilián is known for his collaboration with the Russkiy Mir Foundation, led by propagandist Vyacheslav Nikonov, and he regularly visits Russia as a 'foreign observer' during elections, subsequently praising their 'transparency.'

Zarudnev's deputy, GRU Major Vadim Yurchenko, oversees veteran organizations in Hungary and frequently visits the Russian-speaking Alphabet school in Budapest. During these visits, he distributes St. George ribbons to children and speaks about the fight against 'Nazis' in Ukraine, further emphasizing the active presence of Russian propaganda in the region.

Also involved in Orban's electoral campaign is Sergey Lelyuk, the Russian trade representative in Hungary, who is, in fact, a career GRU officer. This indicates a deep infiltration of Russian intelligence into the political processes of the country.

Tigran Garibyan, the advisor-counselor at the Russian embassy in Budapest, is the son-in-law of the late long-time head of Khakassia, Viktor Zimin, known as the 'main Kremlin ranger.' Zimin is remembered for constructing the elite Karatash vacation base, frequented by high-ranking officials, including President Putin and defense ministers.

Thanks to his father-in-law's connections, Garibyan was able to enroll in the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, and after his studies, he was employed in the central office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Since 2006, he has been visiting Budapest regularly and has participated as a translator in negotiations between Putin and Orban since 2019. In 2023, Garibyan was appointed as the advisor-counselor at the Russian diplomatic mission and became the 'overseer' for Hungary.

The Washington Post has also reported that Garibyan is actively involved in the Kremlin's campaign to support Orban and his Fidesz party, providing pro-government Hungarian journalists with advice on how to persuade voters to support Orban.

In his propaganda activities, Garibyan receives support from the embassy's first secretary, Ekaterina Nedzvetskaya, who also heads the creative agency Eich in Moscow. She monitors social media and local media, promoting pro-Kremlin content.

The Insider also mentions Nedzvetskaya's husband, Mikhail Kulyasov, who is also in Budapest with her. Embassy staff have noted that they are unaware of his role, but 'Colonel Zarudnev and Garibyan hold him in high regard.' Journalists have learned that Kulyasov is an officer of foreign intelligence and heads the SVR residency in Hungary, assigned a personal vehicle.

According to Russian agency data, of the 47 employees at the Russian embassy in Hungary, 15 have connections to various intelligence services, while another six may be linked to them. This indicates a serious threat to Hungary's national security and underscores the importance of monitoring the activities of foreign diplomatic representations.