The individuals arrested in Ukraine, a man in his 40s and a woman, are accused, among other things, of having attempted to gather intelligence on where air defense systems are located in Transcarpathia, which has a significant Hungarian minority and borders Hungary.
"For the first time in Ukraine's history, the security service has uncovered a Hungarian military intelligence network that conducted espionage to the detriment of our state," writes the SBU in a statement.
Former soldiers
The individuals arrested were previously Ukrainian soldiers and were led by a Hungarian intelligence officer, according to the SBU. They risk life imprisonment. The intelligence officer is suspected of having provided the individuals with cash and of having attempted to recruit additional individuals to the network.
The purpose was also, according to the SBU, to gather information on the local population's attitudes, not least in the event of a hypothetical scenario where Hungarian soldiers entered the region.
Hungary's Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó calls the accusations "anti-Hungarian propaganda", without directly denying them.
I urge everyone to be cautious with news published in Ukrainian propaganda channels. If we receive any details or official information, we can handle it then, he says.
On good terms with Putin
Later on Friday, Szijjártó announces that two Ukrainian diplomats have been expelled.
Today, we expelled two spies from Hungary who worked under diplomatic cover at the Ukrainian Embassy in Budapest, he says in a video clip on Facebook.
Hungary is opposed to a potential Ukrainian EU membership and has opposed EU support to Ukraine. The country has also argued that the sanctions against Russia should be lifted. At the same time, it is well-known that Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is on relatively good terms with Russia's President Vladimir Putin.
