On 5 March 2026, Hungarian law enforcement authorities detained 7 employees and 2 cash-in-transit vehicles of JSC “State Savings Bank of Ukraine” on the ring road of the city of Budapest. They were transporting valuable cargo from Vienna to Ukraine in fulfillment of an international contract between Raiffeisen Bank International AG (Austria) and JSC “Oschadbank”.

The cargo that was being transported from Austria to Ukraine had been documented in accordance with international transport regulations and the applicable European customs procedures.

The Hungarian side was aware that the cash-in-transit personnel were unarmed. Nevertheless, the detention of the Ukrainian citizens was carried out by the Hungarian Counter-Terrorism Centre. An armored personnel carrier was deployed during the detention, and the officers of the Counter-Terrorism Centre involved in the operation were armed with machine guns and grenade launchers.

After the citizens returned to Ukraine, details of the detention and their treatment became known, indicating gross violations by Hungary of its international legal obligations, in particular the European Convention on Human Rights and the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations.

Although the detainees had the status of witnesses, they were kept in handcuffs for 28 hours. They were transported the entire time with their eyes blindfolded.

The Ukrainian citizens had their personal belongings confiscated, including mobile phones, and were deprived of the opportunity to inform their relatives, the Embassy of Ukraine in Hungary, or their employer about their detention and location. Most of the personal belongings seized during the detention were not returned.

When the health condition of one of the detainees deteriorated — a person with a disability who requires a special diet and regular medication — medical assistance was provided only after he lost consciousness. At the same time, the diabetic patient was forcibly injected with a drug after which his blood sugar level rose sharply and hypertension began, and he had to be taken to hospital.

Hungarian law enforcement officers did everything possible to deprive the detained Ukrainians of any support. Psychological and physical pressure was exerted on the detainees.

In violation of all generally accepted norms, the Ukrainian citizens were not given the opportunity to give testimony in their native language; the communication with the Ukrainians was conducted in Russian.

The detainees were not given the opportunity to use legal defense, despite both the detainees’ requests and the appeals of the lawyer hired to defend them.

Despite official requests from the Embassy of Ukraine for the consul to be granted access to the compatriots and the requests of the detainees themselves, Hungarian law enforcement officers made such a meeting impossible.

In a notification from the investigative unit of the National Tax and Customs Administration of Hungary to the Embassy of Ukraine, it was stated that a consul could be present during investigative actions with the detained compatriots. However, subsequently the employees of the Hungarian services involved either avoided communication with the representatives of the diplomatic mission or provided false information about the whereabouts of the Ukrainian citizens.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine considers such actions by the Hungarian authorities unacceptable and disproportionate, as they constitute a cynical violation of a number of provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, and the Ukrainian-Hungarian Consular Convention.

Although there was no evidence of the detained Ukrainian citizens’ involvement in illegal activities and they had the status of witnesses at all times, at the request of the Hungarian Constitution Protection Office on 6 March 2026 the Hungarian side decided to deport the Ukrainians and impose a 3-year ban on entry into the Schengen area. This appears to be a punishment of Ukrainian citizens who did not provide testimony desired by the Hungarian side.

We also reiterate the demand to immediately return the stolen vehicles of the Ukrainian state bank and the valuables that were being transported.

We emphasize the unacceptability of such arbitrary actions, which may be equated with hostage-taking and theft of property.

We insist on the need for a decisive reaction at the European level to this state banditry.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine demands that all persons responsible for the abduction of Ukrainian citizens, their mistreatment, pressure, intimidation and abuse, denial of access to consular assistance, medication, deprivation of communication and other violations of their rights, as well as the theft of property and valuables of JSC “Oschadbank”, be held accountable.

The Ukrainian side will seek justice by all available national and international legal means.

Ukraine reserves the right to take appropriate response measures.