Ukraine says it has uncovered a spy network being run by the Hungarian state to obtain intelligence about its defences near their shared border.

Ukraine’s security service said it had detained two alleged Hungarian spies who it accused of gathering intelligence.

“For the first time in Ukraine’s history, the Security Service has exposed a Hungarian military intelligence network that was conducting espionage activities to the detriment of our state,” the [Ukraine Intelligence Agency] SBU said.

[…]

Hungary is a member of the European Union and Nato - both firm allies of Ukraine - but Prime Minister Viktor Orban has repeatedly sided with Russia since its invasion of Ukraine.

The alleged spy network was established by Hungary’s military intelligence with the aim of collecting data about the location and number of air defence systems, as well as law enforcement officers and their vehicles, in the western Zakarpattia region, the SBU said.

Zakarpattia is the western region of Ukraine that shares an 84-mile (137km) border with Hungary.

The spies had also been gathering information on the public sentiment among local residents to predict their response in the event of a Hungarian incursion, according to the SBU.

    • rtxn@lemmy.world
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      1 day ago

      From a completely selfish perspective, that is exactly my greatest fear. Hungary needs the EU to protect it and its people from its own government, and the EU needs to retain some influence to avoid having a second Belarus.

      • brucethemoose@lemmy.world
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        1 day ago

        Has Hungary’s government made noise about leaving the EU?

        I wouldn’t think Orban wants to be a Russian vassal like Belarus, so perhaps the EU needs to wave the threat of kicking them out around more.

        • einkorn@feddit.org
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          1 day ago

          Why should Orban leave the EU if he benefits from it on multiple fronts?

          1. There is the financial aspect: Not every type of funding can be stopped.
          2. The EU is an easy target to deflect blame to: Everything bad happening is due to regulations from Brussels, and everything good is of course your own success.
          3. The EU gives Hungary a basic standing in international politics: When Hungary received the Presidency of the Council of the European Union which rotates between member states, so it was bound to happen, Orban basically went on a road trip across the world posing as big boss of the EU without talking to any other member states.
          4. The EU internally gives Hungary a lot more power than it would have on its own: Technically, every member state is equal. Yes, in practice, some are more equal than others. For example, have you ever wondered why MEPs can get cash reimbursements for travel costs below 800 km without showing receipts?
        • rtxn@lemmy.world
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          1 day ago

          Not leaving per se, but even now, there’s a disinformation campaign targeted at citizens to resist Ukraine’s EU accession, pushed through every media outlet owned by his cronies, from billboards to televisions. I don’t think even Orbán is stupid enough to reject EU funding, close agricultural exports, and give up his influence. It’s the worst kind of status quo, where everyone loses.

          If you can, don’t live on the wrong side of history. It’s bad for the health.

        • Gsus4@mander.xyz
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          1 day ago

          You’re only a “soberanist” against multilateral institutions until you become some authoritarian’s removed. Watch yourself 😇

  • AItoothbrush@lemmy.zip
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    1 day ago

    I dont even live there anymore but somehow i feel like i have to apologize for our shit leader… this was surprising for even us, we didnt think he was THIS bad

  • 52fighters@lemmy.sdf.org
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    1 day ago

    I hope there’s a detailed investigation that gets to the very top of this malicious spying apparatus. We know who it’ll lead to.