‘No Random Actor’: Serbian Website Channels Kremlin, AfD Talking Points

Flouting transparency requirements, a Serbian website is parroting Russian talking points and boosting Germany’s far-right AfD. In its content, secrecy, and the support it enjoys from Russian media, digital forensics experts say Eagle Eye Explore looks like part of a Kremlin influence operation.

11 Mar, 06:59 — 11 Mar, 10:47

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Why this matters

This story is significant as it highlights alleged foreign interference in democratic elections within the European Union, specifically targeting Hungary. It underscores concerns about the spread of disinformation, the vulnerability of national political processes to external influence, and the potential for Russia to destabilize European politics by supporting populist or far-right parties.

Key entitiesViktor Orbán Fidesz Kremlin Sergei Kiriyenko AfD Mario Rönsch

The Story

What 8 sources agree on, dispute, and miss

What sources agree on

The Kremlin has launched a disinformation campaign to aid Viktor Orbán and his Fidesz party in Hungary's parliamentary elections.
The campaign involves media and social media, particularly TikTok.
Russian operatives, possibly under Sergei Kiriyenko, are involved in the effort.

Key claims3 agreed · 2 unverified

✓

The Kremlin launched an information campaign to help Viktor Orbán and Fidesz win the April 2026 parliamentary elections.

agreed·zdg-mdMoscow Timesmkd-mkaftonbladethvg

✓

Russian operatives involved in the campaign likely work under Kremlin deputy chief of staff Sergei Kiriyenko.

agreed·Moscow Timeshvg

The campaign will be conducted mainly on social networks, especially TikTok.

unverified·mkd-mk

✓

A Serbian website is parroting Russian talking points and boosting Germany’s far-right AfD.

agreed·balkan-insightder-standard

The Hungarian government and Fidesz deny the Russian influence attempt.

unverified·hvg

Where they diverge

Focus of the disinformation campaign

zdg-mdMoscow Timesmkd-mkaftonbladethvg

Primarily focused on supporting Viktor Orbán and Fidesz in Hungary.

balkan-insightder-standard

Broader scope, including a Serbian website channeling Kremlin and AfD talking points, and a German 'Migrantenschreck' operator spreading fake news from Moscow.

Hungarian government's awareness and response

telex

Suggests the Fidesz government would expose the falsity of its own sovereignty protection policy if it admitted Russian influence.

hvg

States the Hungarian government and Fidesz deny the Russian influence attempt.

Coverage gaps

The involvement of Mario Rönsch, former operator of 'Migrantenschreck', now an 'exile journalist' in Moscow, with ties to Russian intelligence.

Reportedder-standard

Missingtelexzdg-mdMoscow Times+4

Specific details about the 'Social Design Agency' media consulting firm approved by the Putin government for the Fidesz campaign.

Reportedhvg

Missingtelexzdg-mdMoscow Times+4

The Story

Analyzing sources…

Source Diversity

Excellent (80/100)

8 sources33/33

Spectrum spread— 3/5 buckets covered17/33

Far L1

Far Left (1)

aftonbladet

Left6

Left (6)

telexzdg-mdMoscow Timesder-standardbalkan-insighthvg

Center1

Center (1)

mkd-mk

Right

Far R

Geographic diversity— 7 regions30/34

Hungary2Moldova1Russia1North Macedonia1Sweden1Austria1Serbia1

Political spectrum

LeftCenterRight

aftonbladet

moscow-times

der-standard

telex

hvg

zdg-md

balkan-insight

mkd-mk

Outlet rating This story

SourceOutletiGeneral editorial lean of the outletStoryiHow they covered this specific storyToneFactuality

aftonbladetcenter-leftleftneutral—Reports critically on Russian support for Orbán

Moscow Timescenter-leftcenter-leftanalyticalMostly FactualCritical of Kremlin's disinformation campaigns

der-standard

Coverage leans: center-left

The coverage generally leans center-left, with most outlets critically reporting on alleged Russian interference in European elections and media, often highlighting the far-right connections.

Sources

Showing 2 of 8 sources

Moscow TimesMostly Factual84d ago

Russia Backs Disinfo Campaign to Aid Orbán’s Re-Election Bid – FT

Sources cited by the FT said Russian operatives involved in the effort were likely to be working under influential Kremlin deputy chief of staff Sergei Kiriyenko.

Read full article →

balkan-insightMostly Factual84d ago

‘No Random Actor’: Serbian Website Channels Kremlin, AfD Talking Points

By Milos Katic

Read full article →

Coverage Timeline

First report: hvg · 11 Mar, 06:48|Full coverage: 8 · 1d 23h|Window: 1d 23h

Left-leaningCenterRight-leaning

hvg11 Mar, 06:48First to report

FT: Komplett médiaterv, orosz dezinformációs kampány készült a Kreml jóváhagyásával Orbán hatalomban tartására

balkan-insight11 Mar, 06:59

‘No Random Actor’: Serbian Website Channels Kremlin, AfD Talking Points

der-standard11 Mar, 07:00

Deutscher "Migrantenschreck"-Betreiber liefert jetzt Fake-News aus Moskau

aftonbladet11 Mar, 07:46

Rysk stödplan för Orbán

3h later

mkd-mk11 Mar, 10:45

Унгарскиот опозициски лидер: Орбан и Русите подготвуваат дезинформациска кампања

Moscow Times11 Mar, 10:47

Russia Backs Disinfo Campaign to Aid Orbán’s Re-Election Bid – FT

zdg-md11 Mar, 11:22

FT: Kremlinul a lansat o campanie de promovare pentru a ajuta partidul lui Orban să câștige alegerile din Ungaria

1d later

telex13 Mar, 06:01Latest update

Az lenne a meglepő, ha a kormány beismerné az orosz befolyásolási törekvéseket

Story evolution

The narrative shifted from solely focusing on Russian support for Orbán to a broader examination of a multi-faceted Russian disinformation network impacting various European countries and political parties.

Initial Reports on Russian Support for OrbánMarch 11 morning

Early reports, primarily citing the Financial Times, detail a Kremlin-approved campaign to aid Viktor Orbán's re-election.

Expansion to Broader Disinformation NetworkMarch 11 morning

Coverage expands to include a Serbian website channeling Kremlin and AfD talking points, and a German operator linked to Russian intelligence.

Hungarian Political Reaction and ContextMarch 11-13

Hungarian outlets provide context on the government's stance and opposition claims regarding the disinformation campaign.

‘No Random Actor’: Serbian Website Channels Kremlin, AfD Talking Points

Why this matters

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims3 agreed · 2 unverified

Where they diverge

Coverage gaps

The Story

Source Diversity

Source Diversity

Political spectrum

Sources

Russia Backs Disinfo Campaign to Aid Orbán’s Re-Election Bid – FT

‘No Random Actor’: Serbian Website Channels Kremlin, AfD Talking Points

Coverage Timeline

FT: Komplett médiaterv, orosz dezinformációs kampány készült a Kreml jóváhagyásával Orbán hatalomban tartására

‘No Random Actor’: Serbian Website Channels Kremlin, AfD Talking Points

Deutscher "Migrantenschreck"-Betreiber liefert jetzt Fake-News aus Moskau

Rysk stödplan för Orbán

Унгарскиот опозициски лидер: Орбан и Русите подготвуваат дезинформациска кампања

Russia Backs Disinfo Campaign to Aid Orbán’s Re-Election Bid – FT

FT: Kremlinul a lansat o campanie de promovare pentru a ajuta partidul lui Orban să câștige alegerile din Ungaria

Az lenne a meglepő, ha a kormány beismerné az orosz befolyásolási törekvéseket

Story evolution

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Why this matters

Story evolution

The Story

What sources agree on

Key claims3 agreed · 2 unverified

Where they diverge

Coverage gaps

Coverage matrix

Political spectrum