💥🔎💰NEW INVESTIGATION: Across the Visegrád countries, politicians use paid social media ads to attack journalists, human rights activists, and NGOs – while Meta & Google profit from this #SponsoredHate. Such ads reach tens of thousands of users while evading platform moderation. @vsquare.bsky.social

⚡️The “Orbán model” is losing its appeal globally. Hungary’s 2026 elections will be closely watched by leaders of similar regimes, as the vote could decide whether Viktor Orbán’s unique EU-style information autocracy survives or faces a historic defeat.

💥 Estonian authorities have detained two suspects tied to the GRU parcel bomb plot that shook Europe last year, when explosive devices hidden in packages sent from Estonia detonated in countries including Germany, the UK, and Poland.

💥🔎🇷🇺 Our analysis reveals the scale of Russia’s massive propaganda offensive in Moldova: in 3 weeks, 9,900 TikTok videos were published and generated over 93 million views, created with artificial intelligence. Yet despite Moscow’s efforts, the pro-European PAS secured 50.2% in the Sept 28 election.

💥🔎 On X/Twitter, Visegrád24 became famous for its anti-Muslim and anti-migration stance as well as waves of disinformation. A recent report brings to light people, funding and political actors tied to their Central Europe-based but international network.

⚡️Before Russia’s war, Czech firms were among the biggest importers of Russian birch plywood. Though now banned under EU rules, loopholes let it slip back via Kazakhstan or Georgia. The EU warns such Russian wood still likely ends up in Czech homes.

💥🔎 On X/Twitter, Visegrád24 became famous for its anti-Muslim and anti-migration stance as well as waves of disinformation. A recent report brings to light people, funding and political actors tied to their Central Europe-based but international network.

🔎🌊Crystal clear at its source in Ukraine, the Tisza river carries tons of plastic waste by the time it reaches Hungary. A new investigation shows how poor waste management in Transcarpathia, compounded by Russia’s war, has worsened the river’s pollution.

🔎💰INVESTIGATION: During Hungary’s EU presidency, Viktor Orbán’s government pressured visiting delegations to stay at an Orbán family-owned luxury hotel. The Finnish PM & his team was even redirected there by organizers despite booking a different hotel.

⚡️Investigation, visualized: we reveal full details of 2024’s arson attacks and parcel bombs across Europe. The sabotage was carried out by Russia’s GRU, masterminded by a smuggler of radioactive materials, with perpetrators recruited via Telegram.

🔗Link: vsquare.org/crossing...

⚡️Investigation, visualized: we reveal full details of 2024’s arson attacks & parcel bombs across Europe. The sabotage was carried out by Russia’s GRU, masterminded by a smuggler of radioactive materials with perpetrators recruited via Telegram.

🔗Link: vsquare.org/crossing...

🔎🇷🇺 Before Russia’s war, Czech firms were among the biggest importers of Russian birch plywood. Though now banned under EU rules, loopholes let it slip back via Kazakhstan or Georgia — so it still ends up in Czech homes. Another piece from @investigacecz.bsky.social's series on sanctions evasion.👇

🍲In @vsquare.bsky.social's fresh Goulash newsletter, we dish up coverage of the Oct 3–4 Czech elections, where Andrej Babiš’s ANO looks set to rise back to the top and reclaim power. To spice it up, there's also a recap of our earlier stories on Babiš, plus some analysis on what to expect from him.

💥🔎 On X/Twitter, Visegrád24 became famous for its anti-Muslim and anti-migration stance as well as waves of disinformation. A recent report brings to light people, funding and political actors tied to their Central Europe-based but international network. @vsquare.bsky.social

⚡️The “Orbán model” is losing its appeal globally. Hungary’s 2026 elections will be closely watched by leaders of similar regimes, as the vote could decide whether Viktor Orbán’s unique EU-style information autocracy survives or faces a historic defeat.

👌🍲 Goulash is back this evening! Don’t miss our bi-weekly newsletter — this issue is going to be tasty, packed with fresh scoops and standout investigations from Central Europe’s top non-profit outlets.
📨 Subscribe: http://vsquare.org/n...

👌🍲 Our Goulash newsletter is back this Thursday! Get fresh scoops and hard-hitting investigations from Central Europe’s top non-profit outlets delivered straight to your inbox every two weeks.
📨 Subscribe: http://vsquare.org/n...

💥 Estonian authorities have detained two suspects tied to the GRU parcel bomb plot that shook Europe last year, when explosive devices hidden in packages sent from Estonia detonated in countries including Germany, the UK, and Poland.

🔎🌊Crystal clear at its source in Ukraine, the Tisza river carries tons of plastic waste by the time it reaches Hungary. A new investigation shows how poor waste management in Transcarpathia, compounded by Russia’s war, has worsened the river’s pollution.

⚡️Investigation, visualized: we reveal full details of 2024’s arson attacks and parcel bombs across Europe. The sabotage was carried out by Russia’s GRU, masterminded by a smuggler of radioactive materials, with perpetrators recruited via Telegram.

🔗Link: vsquare.org/crossing...

💥 Estonian authorities detained two suspects over the GRU parcel bomb plot that rocked Europe last year, when explosive devices hidden in packages sent from Estonia exploded in Germany, the UK, and Poland. @vsquare.bsky.social @holgerroonemaa.bsky.social

✈️🇬🇷 Back from Athens and the International Journalism Forum, themed “Navigating the Age of Doubt” this year. Great to reconnect, make new friends, and catch up on journalism trends—and to note that while many think Hungary’s press freedom is worst in the EU, it’s actually Greece.
@vsquare.bsky.social

👌🍲 Goulash is back again this Thursday! Our bi-weekly newsletter brings fresh scoops and standout investigations from Central Europe’s top non-profit outlets straight to your inbox.
📨 Subscribe: http://vsquare.org/n...

⚡INVESTIGATION: The Russian Union of Orthodox Women fights for abortion bans, pushes a hardline pro-Kremlin agenda, and backs Russia’s war. Its leaders snapped up property in Karlovy Vary — even Putin’s ski instructor is in their network.