On March 6, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha confirmed reports that seven Ukrainian nationals were taken hostage by Hungarian authorities in Budapest. The individuals are employees of the state-owned Oschadbank and were involved in a routine cash transport operation between Austria and Ukraine.
According to Sybiha, the employees were traveling in two armored vehicles, transporting cash and valuables as part of regular operations between the banks. He characterized the incident as a case of state-sponsored terrorism, stating, “If this is the ‘force’ that Mr. Orban spoke of today, then it is the force of a criminal gang. This is state terrorism and extortion.” He further indicated that an official note demanding the immediate release of the hostages had been sent to Hungarian authorities.
In addition, Ukraine plans to approach the European Union for a formal assessment of Hungary’s actions, which include the hostage-taking and alleged robbery. The Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet commented on these claims.
Prior to Sybiha’s statements, Oschadbank announced that the two cash transport vehicles, along with their crew, had been unlawfully detained in Hungary while transporting foreign currency and precious metals. The vehicles’ GPS signals indicated they were located in central Budapest, near a Hungarian security agency. This location has been verified by representatives from the Ukrainian embassy in Hungary and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The bank estimates that the valuables in the vehicles amounted to approximately $40 million, €35 million, and nine kilograms of gold. Oschadbank has demanded the immediate release of its employees and the return of its assets to Ukraine, maintaining communication with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and law enforcement agencies.
Ukrainian officials have reported the kidnapping of seven Oschadbank employees by Hungarian authorities during a routine cash transport. The situation has escalated into a diplomatic issue, with Ukraine seeking intervention from the EU.