Newly uncovered documents have revealed that Bauman Moscow State Technical University has a secretive program known as Department 4, dedicated to training students for careers in the GRU, Russia's military intelligence. This information is based on over 2,000 internal files obtained by a consortium of journalists, detailing the department's curriculum and its connections to military operations.
Vladimir Putin visited the university last April, where he highlighted Moscow's aspirations for space exploration. However, his visit did not address the covert nature of Department 4, which prepares select students for roles within the GRU, an organization notorious for cyberattacks and other covert operations. The program, existing under the radar, has been a pipeline for future intelligence operatives, as noted by a former defense official.
Bauman, founded in 1830, has a long history of collaboration with military institutions, training engineers and scientists for various defense projects. The documents reveal a structured approach to educating students in hacking and disinformation tactics, leading them directly into high-stakes positions within Russia's military intelligence.