A “New generation” of Russian agents?

Russian Center for Science and Culture in Paris, which is a direct threat to French and European security, has announced its project under the ambitious title “New Generation”, which aims to justify Russian military aggression in Ukraine by conducting propaganda activities.

As stated on its website, the aim of the program is supposed to establish cooperation between young people in Russia and other countries. To that end, short-term study tours to Russia are being organized for foreign participants between the ages of 25 and 35.

It is difficult to believe that there will be mad excitement about the programme among the French. The data from opinion polls show that French young people tend to look for cooperation programs in the USA or even China, especially in the context of the visit of President Macron, rather than in Russia, which the entire civilized world condemns for terrorism and corruption.

But what is it about this programme that might attract young French people?

According to the website, French young people will be able to apply for various internships, such as the VI International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS 2023.

The International Aviation and Space Salon (MAKS) is an international aerospace exhibition held biannually in the town of Zhukovsky, at the Gromov Aviation Research Institute airfield near Moscow. The exhibition was first held in 1993.

The organizers of the exhibition are the Federal Agency for Industry (until 2009), the Government of Moscow (2009) and the Rostech State Corporation. The organizer of MAKS is JSC Aviasalon.

The new equipment is usually presented at such exhibitions, which in the future may come into service with the Russian Air Force and its allies. Undoubtedly, not every Russian citizen has access to such state-of-the-art equipment. But here it is a privilege, a foreign citizen, a Frenchman in particular, has access to the most innovative technological innovations in the field of aircraft construction.

It is hard to believe that in a country at war, which is the situation in Russia, access to its strategic developments is so easy. Undoubtedly this is happening under the heavy cover and patronage of the Russian security services.

In addition, a programme of research internships for foreign specialists in international relations “InteRussia” is offered. The theme is “New Global Threats”. (Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO).

MGIMO University is known to be the alma mater for many specialists in the structure of the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service. Most likely, such internships are one of the methods of open recruitment of potential agents of the Russian secret service.

Another interesting option for potential recruitment to Russian residencies is an internship at SputnikPro MIR. In fact, not even a year has passed since the pro-Russian government media suspended its activities in France, but there are still some resources we wrote about earlier that, under deep cover, are still rebroadcasting Russian propaganda in France.

In our view, this could also be an entry point for Russian security services conducting their information operations across the border.

Image: Ukrainian artist A.Yermolenko