The Security Service of Ukraine announced on Friday that it had arrested two former Ukrainian military members for allegedly spying for Hungary by collecting intelligence regarding the western regions of Ukraine.
In a Friday statement obtained by The Associated Press, the Security Service of Ukraine claimed that the two former Ukrainian military members currently face treason charges, which could lead to a life sentence in prison. The statement noted that the alleged discovery of the Hungarian spy network was the first time Ukraine had uncovered a Hungarian espionage operation.
According to the Security Service of Ukraine, the Hungarian spy ring was reportedly led by a “staff officer of Hungarian military intelligence.” The Security Service of Ukraine claimed that the espionage operation was intended to collect information regarding security vulnerabilities in the western regions of Ukraine.
The Guardian reported that the Security Service of Ukraine said, “By forming an agent network, foreign intelligence hoped to expand the range of information collection, including obtaining data from frontline and frontline regions.”
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According to The Associated Press, Ukraine’s claims regarding a Hungarian spy ring in Ukraine were quickly met with backlash from Hungary. The outlet noted that Hungary’s Foreign Ministry expelled two Ukrainian diplomats on Friday and claimed that the diplomats had been spying on behalf of Ukraine.
During a press conference in Budapest, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó told reporters that Hungary had not seen evidence to support Ukraine’s espionage claims. “If we receive any details or official information, then we will be able to deal with this,” he said. “Until then, I must classify this as propaganda that must be handled with caution.”
According to ABC News, while Hungary is part of both the European Union and NATO, the country has refused to supply weapons to Ukraine or allow weapons to be transferred across its territory as Ukraine continues to fight against Russia. The outlet noted that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s government has opposed granting Ukraine membership into the European Union, argued against Russian sanctions, and opposed financial assistance offered to Ukraine by the European Union.
