Two Hungarian nationals were arrested in Ukraine, accused of collecting intelligence on the nation’s western air defense network.
The Security Service of Ukraine said it had discovered a spy network operating along its southern border, which it shares with Hungary. The alleged network, established by Hungary’s intelligence service, was located in the western Zakarpattia region of Ukraine.
“For the first time in Ukraine’s history, the Security Service has exposed a Hungarian military intelligence network that was conducting espionage activities to the detriment of our state,” the Security Service of Ukraine said in a statement.
Hungary has not responded to the accusations or acknowledged the arrests.
The alleged spies were collecting intelligence on local security forces and air defense systems in the Zakarpattia region. The network was also collecting information on public sentiment towards Hungary, according to Kyiv.
The two suspects arrested, a man and a woman, are former members of the Ukrainian military and face life in prison if convicted on treason charges.
The spy flap threatens to further enflame tensions between Kyiv and Budapest, which have remained strained since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in 2022. While Hungarian President Viktor Orban is a member of the EU and NATO, he has been one of the more outspoken allies of Russia and has opposed punitive sanctions.
Hungary and Ukraine have also clashed over ethnic issues in the Zakarpattia region, where more than 150,000 Hungarians live. Budapest has accused Kyiv of discriminating against Hungarian culture in the region and has launched programs to promote the Hungarian language.
