VSQUARE

VSquare is a collection of independent media organizations focused on conducting cross-border investigations within the Visegrad region, which includes Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

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The GRU’s Travel Agent: Slutsky Arranged Moscow Trip for Robert Fico's Advisor

3 days ago | vsquare.org | Szabolcs Panyi

Szabolcs Panyi, Nikita Hava (VSquare) Tomáš Madleňák (ICJK) Photo: Kremlin.ru 2025-06-25 The “James Bond-like” Russian Duma politician Leonid Slutsky and his Russian Peace Foundation helped arrange the Moscow visit of David Lindtner, a close ally to and advisor of Robert Fico, our investigation has found. Slutsky and his foundation have close ties to the GRU—and routinely pass information about their guests to the agency’s European espionage department.
Goulash: Orbán Propagandist with GRU Ties and Black Cube in Hungary; Babiš and Czech River Poisoning

2 weeks ago | vsquare.org | Szabolcs Panyi

Ahoy from Prague! After a short break, I’m back at the stove and serving up a fresh batch of Goulash straight from the Globsec Forum, where I’ve been following the latest in Central European security and foreign policy. My colleagues kept the pot warm, and now I’ve returned with a simmering mix of new scoops and investigations.
Pro-Orbán Propagandist’s Ties to Russian Intelligence Exposed

2 weeks ago | vsquare.org | Szabolcs Panyi

Szabolcs Panyi (Direkt36, VSquare) Photo: Georg Spöttle's Facebook page 2025-06-12 A German-Hungarian pro-Orbán media figure who frequently appears in government-aligned outlets and once ran as a Fidesz candidate, Georg Spöttle, is now at the center of a national security controversy. One of his close acquaintances failed a security screening due to Spöttle’s ties to Russian intelligence.
Polish Compatriots and Kremlin’s Network of Support

1 month ago | vsquare.org | Anastasiia Morozova

Anastasiia Morozova, Alicja Pawłowska, Daniel Flis, Maciej Możański (FRONTSTORY.pl) Illustration: James O'Brien/OCCRP 2025-05-29 Documents from the Pravfond fund reveal how Russia finances its support in PolandWho takes money from a special fund from Moscow? And for what activities? Legal aid for those accused and convicted of espionage. An organization of conferences and rallies of support. Renovations for Red Army monuments.
Goulash: Welcome to the Hotel Orbán, Such a Costly Place; Russian Diplomats Buzzing in Slovakia

2 months ago | vsquare.org | Szabolcs Panyi

Welcome to another serving of Goulash — your trusted dish of Central European chaos, slowly stewed with investigative spice and a pinch of political scoops. This week’s pot is particularly rich: we’re dishing out a story about how Viktor Orbán used Hungary’s EU presidency to quietly ladle public money into his family’s hotel. You’ll also find some hot new details on Pegasus spyware — yes, it’s back on the boil — with links to Hungary and the Czech Republic.
Hotel Orbán: How Hungary’s Ruling Family Benefited from the EU Presidency

2 months ago | vsquare.org | Szabolcs Panyi

Flóra Tárkányi (Direkt36) Szabolcs Panyi (VSquare, Direkt36) Photo: Viktor Orbán's Facebook page 2025-04-17 During Hungary’s EU presidency, Viktor Orbán’s government pushed visiting delegations to stay at Hotel Dorothea, a luxury hotel owned by the prime minister’s son-in-law. One of the most striking cases was Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo, whose delegation was redirected there by Hungarian organizers despite having booked elsewhere.
Who Loves Russia, Who Fears China? Geopolitical Attitudes Across the Visegrád Four

2 months ago | vsquare.org | Szabolcs Panyi

HungaryHungary ranks second in terms of public warmth toward authoritarian powers. However, despite Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s overtures to Moscow, 61% of Hungarian respondents view Russia negatively, and only 21% hold a positive view of the country. Supporters of Orbán’s ruling Fidesz party are the most pro-Russian (42%), closely followed by voters of the far-right Our Homeland party (40%).
Goulash: Fresh Poll: Whose Voters Love or Hate Russia, China, the EU, and the Trump Admin?

2 months ago | vsquare.org | Szabolcs Panyi

Welcome back to Goulash, where we dish out the hottest bites from Central Europe’s political kitchen. Donald Trump’s latest moves are once again shaking up global alliances and markets — and our region is feeling the heat. Central Europe is in a vulnerable spot, just as Russian meddling ramps up, with our new analysis explaining all the recent cyber campaigns in Germany and beyond.
Goulash: Blacklist Compiled by Orbán’s Intelligence Agency; Russia's Meddling in Germany

Mar 20, 2025 | vsquare.org | Szabolcs Panyi

Welcome back to Goulash, where we keep stirring the pot on Central Europe’s bubbling political landscape. The far-right is rising in Poland, while Viktor Orbán has been turning up the heat on his own radical agenda in Hungary—seasoning his rule with yet another alarming far-right shift. Our main scoop this week is particularly spicy: Orbán’s intelligence agency is now cooking up a blacklist of so-called foreign agents, whom he has labeled stink bugs and vowed to “eliminate by Easter”.
Russia tried to influence Germany's election. Which country is the next target?

Mar 19, 2025 | vsquare.org | Paul May

Germany’s political structure and electoral system favors a coalition of the major parties. But with a growing movement of the far-right — and the Alternative fur Deutschland (AfD) doubling their vote share — disinformation tools have been used to push electoral agendas towards narratives favouring the Kremlin. Meanwhile, Russian election interference continues to expand throughout Europe.