Is there a “New Generation” of Russian agents emerging in France?

Insight News covered the “New Generation” project in its article.

The Russian Center for Science and Culture in Paris has unveiled a project called "New Generation," which aims to start a propaganda campaign to justify Russian military aggression in Ukraine. This campaign is seen as a direct threat to French and European security. The initiative purports to establish cooperation between young people in Russia and other countries, and is organizing short-term study tours to Russia for foreign participants aged 25 to 35. 

However, it is unlikely that this program will gain much traction among the French, as opinion polls suggest that French youth are more interested in cooperation programs with the USA or China, especially in the context of President Macron's visit. Despite this, it is worth considering what might attract French youth to this program.

As per the website, French youths have the opportunity to apply for a range of internships, including the VI International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS 2023. The MAKS exhibition is a biennial aerospace event that takes place in Zhukovsky, near Moscow, at the Gromov Aviation Research Institute airfield. Its first exhibition was held in 1993 and was organized by JSC Aviasalon with the support of the Federal Agency for Industry (until 2009), the Government of Moscow (2009), and the Rostech State Corporation. 

The event showcases cutting-edge technology and equipment that may potentially be incorporated into the Russian Air Force and its allies. While access to such innovations may not be available to every Russian citizen, foreign citizens, including the French, have the privilege of experiencing these state-of-the-art advancements in aircraft construction. Taking into account Russia's current state of war, it is surprising that foreigners can easily access their strategic developments, which may be happening under the patronage of the Russian security services.

Moreover, the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO) offers a research internship program called "InteRussia" for foreign specialists in international relations with the theme of "New Global Threats". It's worth noting that MGIMO has produced many specialists for the Russian Foreign Intelligence Service, and it's possible that these internships are a means of openly recruiting potential agents for the Russian secret service. 

Another potential recruitment option is an internship at SputnikPro MIR, a pro-Russian government media outlet. Despite its suspension of activities in France, there are still some hidden resources broadcasting Russian propaganda in the country. This could potentially serve as a gateway for Russian security services to conduct their information operations across the border.