KYIV, UKRAINE – Ukrainian authorities have detained two Hungarian nationals suspected of operating a spy network on behalf of Russia, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) announced today. The arrests, carried out in a coordinated operation in Kyiv and another undisclosed location, have ignited a diplomatic row between Ukraine and neighboring Hungary, a member state of both the European Union and NATO.
According to the SBU, the two individuals, whose identities have not yet been officially released, are accused of gathering intelligence on Ukraine’s military capabilities, critical infrastructure, and political landscape. The security service alleges that the suspects were recruited and funded by Russian intelligence agencies, with their activities coordinated through intermediaries in Hungary.
“The Security Service of Ukraine has neutralized an extensive network of Russian intelligence operating in our country,” stated an SBU spokesperson during a press briefing in Kyiv. “As part of this operation, two Hungarian citizens have been apprehended who were actively involved in collecting and transmitting sensitive information to the Russian Federation.”
The SBU claims that the suspects utilized various methods to obtain classified data, including cultivating contacts within Ukrainian state institutions and employing sophisticated communication channels to relay information to their handlers. The alleged intelligence gathered was reportedly intended to aid Russia’s ongoing military aggression against Ukraine.
“The information obtained by this network posed a direct threat to the national security of Ukraine,” the SBU spokesperson emphasized. “Their activities were aimed at undermining our defense capabilities and destabilizing the socio-political situation in our country.”
The arrests have immediately strained relations between Kyiv and Budapest, which have been complex since the start of the full-scale Russian invasion. Hungary, under Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, has maintained a more cautious stance towards Russia compared to other EU and NATO allies, often voicing opposition to stringent sanctions and maintaining open communication channels with Moscow.
The Hungarian government has reacted to the news with concern, confirming the detention of two Hungarian citizens but demanding further details and due process from Kyiv. Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated in a press conference in Budapest that the allegations were “serious” but urged Ukraine to provide concrete evidence to support the accusations.
“We are in contact with the Ukrainian authorities and our embassy in Kyiv is providing consular assistance to the detained individuals,” Szijjártó said. “It is crucial that their rights are respected and that the investigation is conducted in a transparent and impartial manner. We expect Ukraine to share all relevant information with us.”
The timing of the arrests is particularly sensitive, occurring amidst ongoing debates within the EU regarding further sanctions against Russia and the level of support for Ukraine. Hungary’s perceived reluctance to fully align with the EU’s stance on the conflict has often led to friction with other member states and with Kyiv.
Ukrainian authorities have indicated that a thorough investigation is underway and that the detained Hungarians could face charges of espionage and treason, which carry significant prison sentences under Ukrainian law. The SBU has released blurred images of the suspects and some of the alleged evidence seized during the operation, including electronic devices and documents.
The incident underscores the intense intelligence war being waged alongside the physical conflict in Ukraine, with both sides actively seeking to gain strategic advantages through espionage and counter-espionage efforts. The involvement of citizens from an EU and NATO member state adds a significant layer of complexity to the geopolitical implications of the case.
As the investigation progresses and diplomatic channels are tested, the case of the two detained Hungarians is likely to remain a prominent point of contention between Kyiv and Budapest, further highlighting the divergent approaches within the Western alliance towards the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.