Kyiv: Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) announced on Friday that it had uncovered a Hungarian espionage operation on its territory, detaining two individuals accused of spying for Hungarian military intelligence. The suspects were allegedly working to uncover sensitive defense information in Ukraine’s southwestern Zakarpattia region, an area bordering Hungary and home to a significant Hungarian minority.
According to the SBU, one of the detained individuals had been recruited as early as 2021 and became active in late 2024, tasked with mapping Ukrainian air and ground defense systems, including S-300 missile sites. He also reportedly attempted to build a wider intelligence network by recruiting others. The second detainee, a former member of Ukraine’s security forces, is accused of supplying intelligence about her former unit’s assets and movements to Hungarian handlers.
Ukraine described the case as the first confirmed operation of its kind involving Hungarian intelligence on Ukrainian soil. Authorities emphasized that legal proceedings were underway to prosecute everyone involved in the alleged spy ring.
In swift retaliation, Hungary expelled two Ukrainian diplomats from its embassy in Budapest. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said the diplomats were acting as spies under diplomatic cover. Hours later, Kyiv responded by summoning the Hungarian ambassador and ordering two Hungarian diplomats to leave within 48 hours, citing the principle of diplomatic reciprocity.
The diplomatic clash comes amid already strained relations between the two neighbors. Hungary has consistently resisted EU sanctions against Russia and questioned Ukraine’s efforts to join the European Union. Budapest also frequently accuses Kyiv of marginalizing its Hungarian-speaking minority in Zakarpattia, a historically contested region.
Szijjártó dismissed Ukraine’s allegations as politically motivated, calling them “anti-Hungarian propaganda.” Speaking on social media and to reporters, he claimed Hungary was being unfairly targeted for not joining the war effort and accused Ukraine of using disinformation to provoke tensions.
The dispute also touches on longstanding grievances, including Hungary’s controversial dual citizenship policy, which has led to tens of thousands of Ukrainians obtaining Hungarian passports — something Ukrainian law does not recognize. In turn, Ukraine’s recent education reforms have drawn criticism from Hungary for allegedly restricting Hungarian-language instruction in Zakarpattia schools.
Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has remained one of the EU’s most vocal critics of the bloc’s support for Ukraine. Earlier this week, he denounced European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s call for increased aid to Kyiv, labeling Ukraine a “bankrupt state” and reaffirming Hungary’s opposition to its EU accession.
