The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has revealed a new Russian psychological operation aimed at increasing tensions between Kyiv and Budapest, specifically in the Transcarpathian region. This operation is designed to destabilize the situation in the area.
According to the SBU, Russian operatives are employing technology to spoof phone numbers via IP telephony. They are making threatening calls to members of the Hungarian national community, appearing to originate from Ukrainian numbers.
During these calls, individuals falsely claiming to be part of “national-patriotic formations” or even law enforcement officials have demanded that community members leave Ukraine, issuing threats of physical harm, as stated in the agency’s announcement.
The calls have been traced back to the territory of the aggressor state, and the SBU is currently working to block these psychological operations being conducted by the invaders.
Additionally, a large-scale disinformation campaign has been initiated by Russia within the European Union, aimed at discrediting Ukraine through fabricated accusations of “energy terrorism.” Russian sources have been disseminating manipulative claims that Kyiv intends to halt energy supplies to the EU.
Furthermore, Russia previously claimed the capture of Hlushkivka in the Kharkiv region, a statement that has been denied by Ukrainian defense forces.
The SBU has identified a Russian psychological operation intended to incite discord between Ukraine and Hungary, utilizing deceptive phone calls to threaten Hungarian nationals. This development is part of a broader disinformation strategy by Russia targeting Ukraine's reputation in Europe.