Kocsis stated that a significant portion of what was discussed during the committee session will remain classified for 50 years, indicating the seriousness of the matter. He confirmed that Hungarian services had already been observing intensified activity from Ukrainian intelligence for some time. However, tensions escalated when the Ukrainian side recently released sensitive material without prior consultation.
According to Kocsis, Ukraine publicly shared footage related to the alleged arrest of Hungarian agents, bypassing all diplomatic channels. He noted that the video had been recorded a month earlier, raising suspicions about its timing and intent. Hungarian officials view the release as part of a calculated campaign to discredit the country on the international stage.
Kocsis explained that the events followed a troubling pattern. Just before the Ukrainian video appeared, the Tisza Party and Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, former chief of staff of the armed forces, released a recording targeting the Minister of Defense Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky. In Kocsis’s view, this served the strategic interests of Ukraine and contributed to a broader smear campaign.
Following the release of the official Ukrainian footage, a wider disinformation effort unfolded across social media platforms. Pre-produced materials were circulated, suggesting Hungary was preparing for military aggression. Kocsis firmly rejected these claims, calling the entire operation a politically motivated attempt to undermine Hungary’s reputation and its policy of peace.
State Secretary Barthel-Rúzsa added that the Ministry of Defense is actively investigating Ruszin-Szendi’s activities. The ministry has requested transcripts from recent NATO meetings, where the former chief of staff is believed to have repeatedly represented a Ukraine-aligned position. According to Barthel-Rúzsa, Ruszin-Szendi did not communicate Hungary’s stated concerns about the NATO mission in Ukraine, and his stance was not in line with his mandate.
The government considers these developments part of a broader influence operation connected to Ukraine’s aspirations for EU accession. Officials are treating the matter as both a national security threat and a challenge to Hungary’s sovereignty.
Kocsis concluded that Hungarian services will intensify counterintelligence and reconnaissance efforts in response. He warned that more details are expected to emerge in the coming days and emphasized that protecting national interests against foreign manipulation remains a top priority.
