Hungary, whose government maintains support for Russian narratives for the war in Ukraine, has been accused of seeking defence data.
Ukraine is detaining two people accusing them of spying for Hungary’s military intelligence.
In a statement on Friday, SBU Security Services alleged that former members of the Ukrainian military were recruited by Hungary to carry out “espionage activities that undermine our nation.”
Meanwhile, Hungary responded to what was called “propaganda” by banishing the two at the Ukrainian embassy in Budapest on Friday.
Kiev and Budapest’s relationship has long been tense, but resentment has grown amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Ukrainian intelligence agency said the pair was employed by Hungarian military intelligence handlers to gather information about the country’s defense systems that host the important Hungarian diaspora.
The SBU said two suspects, a 40-year-old man and a woman, have been detained and notified that they are suspected of committing treason. They added that they are now facing life in prison.
The pair were said to have been given cash and special equipment for secret communication and were tasked with passing details on air defense batteries and other military capabilities in the West Zacarpathian region, adjacent to Hungary.
The SBU allegedly attempted to recruit at least two people as informants.
He added that this was the first time in Ukrainian history that Hungarian spy networks were found to work against Kiev’s interests.
“Demonic conduct against Hungary”
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Syjart saw the move as Ukrainian propaganda at a press conference.
“We have not tolerated that Ukraine should continue to launch such defamatory acts against the Hungarian and Hungarian people,” Sijart said in a Facebook video on Friday.
“Therefore, today we expelled two spies from Hungary who are working under diplomatic cover at the Ukrainian Embassy in Budapest,” he said.
Szijjarto accused Ukraine of frequently using unfounded anti-Hungarian propaganda, saying Ukraine’s latest move was driven by Hungarian opposition to providing military aid to Ukraine, which prevented Russia’s three-year-old invasion.
Throughout the Ukrainian War, Hungarian Prime Minister Victor Orban delayed Western military aid to Kiev and maintained warm relations in opposition with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his fellow European Union members.
Orban used stubborn nationalism to build a political foundation at home. It particularly emphasizes dissatisfaction with the territory lost in nearby provinces, including Ukraine, under the Treaty of Versailles, which ended World War I.
Budapest has for years denounced Kiev and claimed discriminatory behavior against around 150,000 Hungarians, most of whom live in the Zakarpathian region.
The SBU noted that suspicious Hungarian agents were also tasked with studying “the socio-political views of local residents, particularly scenarios of actions when the Hungarian army enters the region.”
Source link
