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Spying on students and students spying

Approximately 18,000 foreign students studied at Russian post-secondary institutions in 2021. This rose to 23,000 in 2022 and jumped to 30,000 in 2023.

Why such a sizeable increase now? Russia quickly needs to refill the intelligence vacancies due to hundreds of its spies being exposed and expelled from Europe after the invasion of Ukraine. And the most favourable setting for approach, forging relationships and recruitment is an educational environment.

Talent spotting, assessments and making contact are hampered by prying Western eyes. Russian university campuses are free of unwanted attention.

It’s understandable that Russian FSB, GRU and SVR personnel with diplomatic cover in embassies abroad are currently subjected to a heightened surveillance protocol. Talent spotting, assessments and making contact are hampered by prying Western eyes. Russian university campuses are free of unwanted attention.

Russia expects some 100 students from Estonia to pick up the attractive offer - no tuition fees and plenty of financial support through generous scholarships. 

The Russian Embassy in Tallinn plays a substantial role in promoting opportunities on their web page to join the program through the social media group “Studying in Russia”. Its membership of about 300 consists mainly of students from Estonia.

Täismahus artikkel on loetav Eesti Elu tellijatele

Igal nädalal toome me sinuni kõige olulisemad kogukonna uudised ja eksklusiivsed lood uutelt kolumnistidelt. Räägime eestlastele südamelähedastest teemadest, kogukonna tegijatest ja sündmustest. Loodame sinu toele, et meie kogukonna leht jätkuks pikkadeks aastateks.

Hind alates $2.30 nädalas.

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