Espionage scandal: Hungary expels Ukrainian diplomats over Security Service’s actions
Photo: Péter Szijjártó, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Hungary (Getty Images)
Hungary has expelled two Ukrainian diplomats. This happened after the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) uncovered military intelligence agents in the Ukraine;s Zakarpattia region, according to a statement by Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó.
According to Szijjártó, since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, anti-Hungarian propaganda in Ukraine has been growing stronger. He said the reason for the current "slanderous campaign against Hungarians" is the same as before: the Hungarian government refuses to supply weapons to Ukraine and continues to advocate for peace.
It is worth noting that in his address, Szijjártó did not mention the news that, for the first time in Ukraine's history, the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) uncovered a network of foreign agents — specifically, Hungarian military intelligence conducting espionage activities on Ukrainian territory. However, from the context, it is clear that the minister may have been referring to this.
The Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs stated that "they cannot tolerate a slanderous campaign against Hungarians."
"Today, we expelled two spies who were working under diplomatic cover at the Embassy of Ukraine in Budapest. The corresponding decision and note were handed over to the Ukrainian ambassador in Budapest here at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs just a few minutes ago," he said.
SSU uncovers Hungarian agents
On May 9, Ukraine’s Security Service (SSU) reported uncovering agents of Hungary’s military intelligence operating in the Zakarpattia region. Their main tasks included:
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gathering information on the region’s military security status,
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identifying weaknesses in ground and air defenses,
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monitoring local sentiment and reactions in case of a possible Hungarian incursion.
As part of a special operation, the SSU detained two agents who were working under the supervision of a Hungarian intelligence officer. Both detainees have been officially charged with high treason committed during martial law. Under Ukrainian law, they face life imprisonment.
Meanwhile, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó commented on the espionage case earlier today. He claimed that reports of Hungarian military intelligence agents being exposed in Zakarpattia should allegedly be regarded as "Ukrainian propaganda."
