BUDAPEST, Hungary — Ukrainian officials are accusing Hungarian authorities of detaining seven bank workers and illegally confiscating millions of dollars in cash from armored vehicles passing through the country.
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha posted on X late Thursday that Hungarian officials were holding seven Ukrainian citizens who work for state-owned Oschadbank. The employees were traveling in two armored vehicles between Austria and Ukraine when they were stopped, according to Sybiha.
The vehicles were transporting money as part of routine operations between government banks, the foreign minister explained.
Oschadbank released its own statement revealing that Hungarian authorities had confiscated $40 million in U.S. dollars, along with 35 million euros and 9 kilograms of gold.
According to the bank, GPS tracking showed the vehicles were located in central Budapest near a Hungarian law enforcement facility, though the whereabouts of the bank workers remained unclear.
Hungarian Interior Ministry officials have not yet responded to requests for comment about the incident.
This development has intensified the already strained relationship between Hungary and Ukraine, stemming from disputes over Hungary’s access to Russian oil via a pipeline running through Ukrainian territory.
The Druzhba pipeline has been shut down since January 27. Ukrainian officials say Russian drone attacks damaged the pipeline’s infrastructure, making repairs dangerous for workers and leaving the system vulnerable to future strikes.
Hungarian leadership, however, claims Ukraine is intentionally blocking Russian oil deliveries and has promised retaliatory actions against Kyiv until the oil supply resumes.
Hungary and Slovakia have both resisted European Union efforts to reduce dependence on Russian energy, continuing to purchase Russian fossil fuels despite Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán referenced the bank vehicle detention during Friday radio comments, stating: “We will stop things that are important to Ukraine passing through Hungary until we get the approval of the Ukrainians for oil shipments.”
Orbán has maintained friendly ties with the Kremlin while launching an aggressive anti-Ukraine campaign before next month’s elections. He has previously halted diesel deliveries to Ukraine, blocked EU sanctions against Russia, and prevented a 90-billion-euro loan to Kyiv over the oil pipeline dispute.
The Hungarian leader has also positioned military units at critical energy facilities throughout Hungary, claiming Ukraine is planning sabotage operations.
During Thursday’s economic forum, Orbán announced Hungary would use “force,” including “political and financial tools,” to pressure Ukraine into restarting oil deliveries.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Sybiha responded sharply to Orbán’s remarks on X, writing: “We are talking about Hungary taking hostages and stealing money.”
“If this is the ‘force’ announced earlier today by Mr. Orban, then this is a force of a criminal gang,” Sybiha continued. “This is state terrorism and racketeering.”
Sybiha announced that Ukraine plans to bring the matter before the European Union to seek clarification on Hungary’s actions.
