For the first time in Ukrainian history, the Security Service of Ukraine exposed a Hungarian military intelligence network that conducted espionage against our country.

The task of this cell was to collect information on how well Zakarpattia region is protected military-wise, to look for vulnerabilities in the region’s ground and air defense, as well as to study the socio-political views of local population, including scenarios of their behavior if Hungarian troops enter the region.

As a result of the operation in Zakarpattia, the SSU detained two agents of the Hungarian network.

The investigation found that both assets were supervised by an officer of Hungarian military intelligence, whose identity has already been established.

One of his agents is a 40-year-old former military serviceman from Berehove district, recruited by the foreign service and put on standby back in 2021.

According to the SSU Counterintelligence and investigators, the handler activated this asset in September 2024.

Then the traitor received an assignment: to study the sentiments of the local population and obtain the following information:

• what would be the reaction of the military and civilian population of Zakarpattia if a peacekeeping contingent, including the Hungarian military, entered the region;
• what military gear and weapons can be purchased on the black market in Transcarpathia;
• what is the situation with the migration of Hungarian population in the region?
• what military forces are stationed in Zakarpattia, whether there are a lot of transport and combat vehicles;
• how well the law enforcement agencies are staffed and what is their strength, etc.

After that, the agent personally reconnoitered the locations of the Defense Forces and the coordinates of S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems in the region.

Having gathered intelligence, he traveled to Hungary to report to his handler. To cross the border, the traitor obtained a certificate of caretaker for his sick father, who needed treatment in health facilities abroad.

During the meeting, the Hungarian intelligence officer handed over cash to the agent, which was supposed to be used to carry out the tasks. Among other things, the agent was looking for informants for his network. The SSU established that the head of the cell tried to recruit at least two individuals.

By forming the network, the foreign intelligence service hoped to expand the range of information gathering, including to obtain data from the frontline regions.

In March this year, the SSU Counterintelligence documented the second meeting between the agent and his handler. This time, he received a phone with special software for covert communication.

His new tasks included identifying cars belonging to servicemen of the Security and Defense Forces in Zakarpattia region; finding and passing to the Hungarian special service data on losses of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the war and current developments on the front line. For that, the agent already found a suitable contact in the Defense Forces.

Another detained agent is a former servicewoman of the Security and Defense Forces of Ukraine, who left her unit in 2025. Her tasks included informing the Hungarian special service on the presence of aircraft and helicopters in Zakarpattia region, as well as on the defense systems of the military unit where she had served.

The SSU Counterintelligence documented every move of the perpetrators and detained them at their homes. Their phones and other material evidence were seized during searches.

SSU investigators notified the detainees of suspicion under Article 111.2 of the CCU – high treason, committed under martial law. The suspects are in custody and face life imprisonment with confiscation of property.

The investigation is underway to bring all members of the Hungarian intelligence network to justice.

The operation was carried out under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.