For the first time in the history of Ukraine, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has exposed a Hungarian military intelligence network spying against the country.
This was reported by the SBU press centre.
“The task of this cell was to collect information about the military security of the Transcarpathian Region, search for vulnerabilities in the Region’s ground and air defences, and study the socio-political views of local residents – in particular, scenarios of their behaviour in the event of Hungarian troops entering the Region,” the statement said.
As a result of complex measures, two agents from the network were detained in Transcarpathian Region. The investigation established that both suspects were supervised by a Hungarian military intelligence officer, who has already been identified.
One of the agents was a 40-year-old former military officer from Berehove district, who was recruited by foreign operatives and placed on “standby” in 2021. According to SBU counterintelligence, the handler “activated” this agent in September 2024.
The agent was then given a task: to study the mood of the local population and obtain the following information:
- what would be the reaction of the military and civilian population of Transcarpathia if a peacekeeping contingent, including Hungarian troops, entered the Region;
- what military equipment and weapons could be purchased on the black market in Transcarpathia;
- what is the situation with the migration of the Hungarian population in the Region;
- what military forces are stationed in Transcarpathia – whether there are many vehicles and combat vehicles;
- how well the law enforcement agencies are staffed and what their numbers are, etc.
The agent subsequently conducted reconnaissance of the locations of the Defence Forces and the coordinates of S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems in the Region. After gathering the intelligence, he travelled to Hungary to report to his handler. To cross the border, he obtained a certificate designating him as a caretaker for his ill father, who required treatment abroad.
According to the case file, during the meeting, the Hungarian intelligence officer handed over funds to the agent for carrying out his assignments. Among other things, the agent was instructed to recruit informants. The SBU established that he attempted to recruit at least two individuals.
In March of this year, counterintelligence documented a second meeting between the agent and the handler. This time, he was given a mobile phone with special software for covert communication.
Among the agent’s new tasks was to identify official vehicles belonging to the military in Transcarpathian Region. In addition, he was required to gather and transmit to the Hungarian secret service data on the losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces and current developments on the front line. He had already found a contact within the Defence Forces.
The second detainee is a former servicewoman who left her unit in 2025. Her tasks included informing the Hungarian secret service about the presence of aircraft and helicopters in Transcarpathian Region, as well as the defence systems of the military unit where she had served.
The suspects were detained at their respective residences. During searches, their mobile phones and other material evidence of subversive activity were seized. They have been served with a notice of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code (high treason committed under martial law). The suspects are in custody and face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.
Comprehensive measures are underway to bring all members of the Hungarian intelligence network to justice.
In 2017, a member of Hungary’s radical Jobbik party was denied entry to Ukraine. The party advocates the creation of Rusyn-Hungarian autonomy in Transcarpathia. Representatives of the party were present as official observers at the “referendum” in Crimea and the “elections” in the so-called “LPR” and “DPR”.