Russia transfers Ukrainian prisoners of war to Hungary
Photo: Russian President Vladimir Putin (Getty Images)
Russian President Vladimir Putin has promised Hungary’s Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó to release two Ukrainians who have Hungarian citizenship and ended up in Russian captivity, according to Russian media and a comment from Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry.
Putin said the issue of releasing the prisoners was discussed on Tuesday, March 3, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
The individuals in question are Ukrainians who hold dual citizenship of Ukraine and Hungary.
"I have decided to release two people. As the Prime Minister requested, you will be able to take them with you directly on the plane that brought you here and on which you will return to Budapest," Putin said.
Russia transfers Ukrainian prisoners of war to Hungary pic.twitter.com/V9Zg1GuGDq
— RBC-Ukraine (@NewsUkraineRBC) March 4, 2026
In response to the decision, Szijjártó thanked him in Russian.
What Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry says
In a comment to RBC-Ukraine, Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry said the Ukrainian side had not been provided with information about the servicemen Russia plans to transfer to Hungary.
For this reason, Hungary’s chargé d’affaires will be invited to the Foreign Ministry to obtain reliable information. In addition, Ukraine will submit a request for access to the individuals who have been returned.
"We are forced to note that this is not the first time that Moscow and Budapest have manipulated the sensitive issue of prisoners of war. The cynicism is striking when the release of people is turned into part of political PR ahead of elections in Hungary and a bargaining chip in relations with the Kremlin," the Foreign Ministry said.
Russia has previously transferred Ukrainian prisoners to Hungary
In June 2023, RBC-Ukraine sources reported that Russia intended to hand over 11 Ukrainian prisoners of war to Hungary. The transfer was later confirmed by the Russian Orthodox Church.
According to the Church’s statement, the handover took place "within the framework of inter-church cooperation at the request of the Hungarian side." The prisoners were transferred without Ukraine’s consent.
For some time, the fate and whereabouts of the servicemen were concealed, and Ukrainian diplomats were denied access to them. Later, only five of the eleven prisoners were returned to Ukraine.
Ukraine’s Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets has called on the international community to strengthen accountability for Russia over the torture of Ukrainian POWs. He recalled that, according to UN data, more than 95% of Ukrainian prisoners of war are subjected to systematic torture.
In addition, as of the end of 2025, 337 Ukrainian POWs had been deliberately and brutally executed by Russian forces.
