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 sizable 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.
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.
(Pikemalt saab lugeda Eesti Elu 13. oktoobri 2023 paber- või digilehest eestielu.ca)
