For the first time in Ukraine’s history, the SBU has uncovered a Hungarian military intelligence network that was conducting espionage against our country

For the first time in Ukraine’s history, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has uncovered a network of Hungarian military intelligence agents engaged in espionage activities detrimental to our country.

The objective of this cell was to gather information about the military security of the Zakarpattia region, identify vulnerabilities in the region’s ground and air defenses, and study the socio-political views of local residents — in particular, scenarios of their potential behavior if Hungarian troops were to enter the region.

As a result of comprehensive operations in Zakarpattia, the SBU detained two agents belonging to the Hungarian intelligence network.

The investigation revealed that both individuals were overseen by a career officer of Hungarian military intelligence, whose identity has already been established by the Security Service.

One of his agents was a 40-year-old former serviceman from the Berehove district, who was recruited by foreign operatives and placed in a “standby mode” as early as 2021.

According to counterintelligence and SBU investigators, the handler “activated” this agent in September 2024.

At that time, the traitor received an assignment to study the attitudes of the local population and obtain the following information:

◾ What the response of the military and civilian population of Zakarpattia would be if a peacekeeping contingent — including Hungarian forces — entered the region;

◾ What military equipment and weapons can be acquired on the Zakarpattia black market;

◾ The current state of migration among the Hungarian population in the region;

◾ What military forces are stationed in Zakarpattia, and whether there is a significant presence of transport and combat vehicles;

◾ The staffing levels and manpower of law enforcement agencies, among other things.

It is documented that after that the agent personally reconnoitered the deployment of the Defense Forces and the coordinates of S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems in the region.

After gathering intelligence, he traveled to Hungary to report to his handler. To cross the border, the traitor obtained a caregiver certificate, claiming he was taking care of his ill father who required treatment in foreign medical institutions.

According to case materials, during the meeting, the Hungarian intelligence officer handed the agent cash intended for carrying out assigned tasks. This included efforts to recruit a network of informants. The SBU established that the operative attempted to recruit at least two individuals.

In forming this intelligence network, the foreign intelligence service aimed to broaden the scope of its information-gathering, including obtaining data from front-line and near-front-line regions.

In March of this year, SBU counterintelligence documented a second meeting between the agent and his handler. On that occasion, the agent received a phone equipped with special software for covert communication.

Among the new tasks assigned to the traitor was the identification of official vehicles belonging to members of the Security and Defense Forces in Zakarpattia. In addition, the operative was tasked with locating and transmitting information to the Hungarian intelligence service regarding Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) losses in the war and current developments from the front line — and had already established a suitable contact within the Defense Forces.

The other detainee is a former servicewoman of Ukraine’s Security and Defense Forces, who left her unit in 2025. According to available information, her tasks included providing the Hungarian intelligence service with data on the presence of aircraft and helicopters in the Zakarpattia region, as well as on the defense systems of the military unit where she had served.

The SBU’s counterintelligence documented every step of the Hungarian intelligence operation and detained the individuals at their places of residence. During searches, mobile phones and other physical evidence of subversive activity were seized.

SBU investigators have formally charged the suspects under Part 2 of Article 111 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (high treason committed under martial law). The perpetrators are currently in custody and face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

Comprehensive measures are ongoing to bring all members of the Hungarian intelligence network to justice.

The special operation was conducted under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General.

Tags: Hungary hybrid war russian agents Ukraine