TheLittleTwentieth – Renowned Papers Edition, AI Infused

Local sources from Ukraine: Слово і Діло, UKR.NET.
UK coverage: politico.eu.

In a revelation that has stirred diplomatic tensions between Ukraine and Hungary, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has uncovered what it alleges to be a Hungarian spy network operating within its borders. According to Ukrainian authorities, former members of the Ukrainian army from the Zakarpattia region have been implicated in intelligence-gathering activities aimed at Ukraine’s land and air defense systems, ostensibly for Hungarian military intelligence. The network, as reported, also sought to assess local political sentiments towards the notion of Hungarian peacekeeping forces in the area. The SBU has named a Hungarian military intelligence officer as the network’s handler, a claim that has further strained the bilateral relations between the two neighboring countries. In response, Hungary’s Foreign Minister, Peter Szijjarto, has vehemently dismissed the allegations as ‘Ukrainian propaganda,’ further complicating the situation. The accused individuals, if convicted of state treason, could face life imprisonment under Ukrainian law. In a retaliatory move, Hungary announced the expulsion of two Ukrainian diplomats from Budapest on May 9th, as disclosed by Szijjarto in a statement on Facebook. This decision was framed within the context of worsening anti-Hungarian sentiments in Ukraine, which Szijjarto attributes to Hungary’s refusal to supply weapons to Kyiv and its calls for peace in the region. He also criticized what he perceives as a defamatory campaign against Hungarians, in light of the ongoing conflict. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian Security Service’s announcement of the detention of two agents from the alleged spy network in Zakarpattia has added fuel to the fire. These individuals, according to reports, were actively collecting data on the vulnerabilities of Ukrainian air defense on behalf of Hungarian military intelligence. Preventive measures have been chosen for one of the detainees, highlighting the seriousness with which Ukrainian authorities are treating the case. Szijjarto, however, has remained silent on the matter of the Hungarian spies’ arrest in Ukraine. This unfolding saga marks a significant escalation in the diplomatic friction between Ukraine and Hungary, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions at play in Eastern Europe.