Ukraine Claims to Have Uncovered Hungarian Espionage Network Seeking Military Intel

A serious investigation is underway by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) after uncovering a network managed by the Hungarian state aimed at acquiring defense information. In an official statement, the SBU announced that it had detained two suspected spies allegedly controlled by Hungary’s military intelligence service. This marks the first time in Ukraine’s history that a Hungarian spy network has been identified working against Kyiv’s interests. There was no immediate response from the Hungarian government to a request for comment. Hungary is a member of the European Union and NATO, both of which maintain close alliances with Ukraine in its war against Russia. However, tensions between the two countries have arisen on multiple occasions. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has been cautious regarding Western aid to Ukraine and has maintained ties with Vladimir Putin, placing him at odds with most other European leaders attempting to isolate the Russian president following Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The SBU stated that the two suspects are former members of the Ukrainian military who were recruited by a liaison within Hungary’s military intelligence service. They were provided with cash and specialized equipment to communicate covertly. Their mission was to supply detailed information about Ukraine’s air defense systems and other military capabilities in the Transcarpathian region of southern Ukraine, which borders Hungary.