Ukraine's SBU security agency says it has uncovered a spy network operated by Hungary. The claims come after Kyiv announced that Russia had broken its ceasefire truce. The security agency said on Friday, local time, the network was working to collect intelligence on Kyiv's defences.
In a statement, the SBU said it had detained two suspected agents who, it said, were being run by Hungarian military intelligence. Volodymyr Zelenskyy shakes hands with Viktor Orban. (Reuters: Christian Hartmann) It said it was the first time in the history of Ukraine that a Hungarian spy network was working against Kyiv's interests.
Hungary's foreign minister said Ukrainian accusations about a Hungarian spy ring uncovered in Ukraine were "propaganda". "I would ask everyone to exercise caution with regard to all such reports appearing in Ukrainian propaganda," Peter Szijjarto told a news conference in response to a question. "If we receive any details or official information, then we will be able to deal with this.
Until then, I must classify this as propaganda that must be handled with caution." Hungary's stance on Ukraine war Hungary is part of the European Union and NATO, two blocs with which Ukraine is closely allied in the war it is fighting with Russia. However, relations between the two countries have often been fraught, with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban sceptical about Western military aid for Ukraine.
Europe voices its support for Ukraine, without Hungary Photo shows A man in black walks down a hallway while others watch on After holding emergency talks in Brussels, European leaders agreed on a massive increase to defence spending, but Hungary refused to sign a statement of support for Ukraine. He has also kept relations with Vladimir Putin, putting him at odds with most other EU leaders who have sought to isolate the Russian president since Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The SBU said the two suspects are former members of the Ukrainian military who were recruited by Hungarian intelligence, and given cash and special equipment for secret communication.
The agents were tasked with passing on to their handler details about Ukraine's air defence batteries, and other military capabilities in the Transcarpathia region of southern Ukraine, which borders Hungary. Three-day ceasefire labelled a 'farce' Ukraine's foreign minister also said Russia had repeatedly violated its own three-day ceasefire hours after it began, and called the initiative a "farce", while Moscow said Kyiv had continued fighting. There was a drop-off in combat activity after the ceasefire announced by Mr Putin came into force in the early hours of Thursday, with a respite in the drone and missile attacks.
"Predictably, Putin's 'Parade ceasefire' proves to be a farce," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said on X, referring to the truce which coincides with a May 9 parade on Moscow's Red Square to commemorate the end of World War II. "Russian forces continue to attack across the entire frontline," Mr Sybiha wrote. "From midnight to midday, Russia committed 734 ceasefire violations and 63 assault operations, 23 of which are still ongoing."
Loading… He said Kyiv was notifying the United States and European states about Russia's actions. The Russian defence ministry, cited by Interfax news agency, said that Ukraine, in turn, had carried out 488 attacks on Russian targets and twice tried to break through the border in the Kursk region.
The two sides did not immediately comment on each other's battlefield reports. Reuters
