Ukraine’s Security Service, known as the SBU, has announced the detention of two individuals suspected of espionage activities in the western Zakarpattia region, which borders Hungary. The SBU has accused these alleged Hungarian spies of gathering intelligence related to Ukrainian air defense systems.
The strained relationship between Kyiv and Budapest has been further accentuated by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s alignment with Moscow since the onset of the Russian invasion of Ukraine three years ago. Orban has consistently refused to provide military assistance to Ukraine and has also opposed Kyiv’s efforts to join the European Union.
In a statement, the SBU revealed that this marks a significant moment in Ukraine’s history, as it has uncovered a Hungarian military intelligence network reportedly engaged in activities harmful to the state. The detained individuals, described as a 40-year-old man and a female accomplice, are both former soldiers and are said to have been under the supervision of a Hungarian intelligence officer.
As part of their alleged operations, the man reportedly received financial compensation from the Hungarian officer and attempted to recruit at least two local informants. Their intelligence-gathering activities extended beyond military data; they were also tasked with analyzing the socio-political sentiments of local residents. This included investigating potential responses from the community in the event of Hungarian military intervention in the area.
The SBU has emphasized the seriousness of the charges, noting that both detainees could face life imprisonment if convicted. The region has a notable Hungarian population, with approximately 150,000 ethnic Hungarians recorded in the last official census conducted in 2001. As tensions continue to simmer, the implications of this espionage case could further complicate the already fraught dynamics between Ukraine and Hungary.
