Ukrainian security authorities have uncovered a large-scale espionage network operated by Hungarian military intelligence, which was active on the territory of Zakarpattia and attempting to collect vital information against the Ukrainian state
This was reported by the press service of the Security Service of Ukraine, emphasizing that this case is a historic precedent for the country — for the first time, the activity of Hungarian agents and their network in Ukraine, aimed at harming national security, has been uncovered. According to the agency, the primary targets of the espionage group were military sites and military infrastructure in the region, including data on the state of military defenses, the combat readiness level of Ukrainian forces in Zakarpattia, and potential vulnerabilities in the defense system. Additionally, the agents studied the socio-political sentiments of local residents: gathering information about their behavior and possible response scenarios in case of an invasion by Hungarian troops, which could have been critically important for Ukrainian defense in the future. Thanks to the work of Ukrainian спецслужб, two agents of the network, who were acting with support from Hungarian intelligence, were detained. As a result of the investigation, it was established that the head of this spy group was a high-ranking officer of Hungarian military intelligence, whose role has been clearly defined and whose identity has already been confirmed by Ukrainian counterintelligence. This agent supervised the activities of the detained individuals and coordinated their actions aimed at destabilizing the situation in the region and collecting intelligence data. The events in Zakarpattia once again confirm that Ukraine continues to remain at the center of geopolitical and strategic games by neighboring states, becoming a target for various special operations. Authorities and security services call on Ukrainians to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities or persons who may have links to foreign intelligence agencies and could threaten the country’s security. The official statement of the SBU emphasizes the importance of strengthening counterintelligence and defense efforts and urges other Ukrainian regions to be alert in connection with the increased activity of spy operations by foreign states. Since these measures aim to protect our independence and territorial integrity, Ukraine is prepared to take all necessary steps to prevent similar provocations in the future. This situation further reaffirm the importance of enhancing cooperation between government agencies and civil society in matters of national security. Ukraine remains a vigilant defender of its borders and independence amid global challenges and internal threats, hoping for further strengthening of its security capacity and the ability to counter any attempts of external influence that could undermine the sovereignty of the state.