Ukraine expels two Hungarian diplomats, foreign minister says

Ukraine expels two Hungarian diplomats, foreign minister says

Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has announced the detention of two suspected Hungarian spies who were gathering information about Ukrainian military operations in the Transcarpathia region. The SBU claims that the spy ring, which includes a 40-year-old former soldier from the region, was tasked with assessing vulnerabilities in air and ground defenses, as well as local sentiments regarding a potential Hungarian invasion. The network was also gathering information on law enforcement activities and the socio-political views of residents in the region [1].

In response to the SBU's announcement, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto expelled two Ukrainian diplomats from Budapest, accusing them of spying under diplomatic cover. Szijjarto stated that Hungary would not tolerate "smear campaigns against Hungarians" and accused Ukraine of using anti-Hungarian propaganda [2]. He also noted that Hungary has not received any official information from Ukraine on the matter and characterized the Ukrainian statement as "propaganda."

The incident comes amid ongoing tensions between Ukraine and Hungary, with Hungary maintaining warm relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin and opposing EU initiatives to aid Ukraine. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been critical of Ukraine's handling of its ethnic Hungarian minority and has delayed Western military aid to Kyiv [3].

The SBU has stated that the alleged spies could face life imprisonment if found guilty and that authorities are working to uncover all participants in the ring. The agency has also identified the Hungarian military intelligence staffer who was in charge of the agents.

References:
[1] https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/05/09/ukraine-hungary-espionage-diplomats-expelled/
[2] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/5/9/ukraine-accuses-duo-of-running-hungarian-spy-network
[3] https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-zakarpattya-transcarpathia-hungary-spy-network/33409201.html