On the night of March 6, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced that Hungarian authorities had detained seven employees of Oschadbank, who were on a cash transport mission from Austria. The circumstances surrounding their detention and the health status of the employees remain unclear, with no communication established with them.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that these seven individuals were staff members of the state-owned Ukrainian bank Oschadbank. They were operating two armored vehicles transporting funds and valuables between Austria and Ukraine, specifically between state banks.
In response to the incident, the Ukrainian government has issued an official note demanding the immediate release of its citizens. Sybiha stated, “Essentially, Hungary has taken hostages and seized money.” This assertion highlights the severity of the situation from the Ukrainian perspective.
“Oschadbank confirms that its employees have gone missing in Hungary, along with the detained armored vehicles and valuables. According to GPS data, the bank’s vehicles are currently located in the center of Budapest, near one of Hungary’s security agencies,” the bank’s press service reported.
Oschadbank further clarified that the transport of money and valuables was conducted in accordance with an international agreement with Austria’s Raiffeisen Bank. The cargo was processed in compliance with international transport regulations and existing European customs procedures.
The total value of the assets in the detained vehicles is reported to be approximately $40 million, €35 million, and 9 kg of gold. Oschadbank has emphasized its demand for the immediate release of both its employees and the seized assets, insisting on their return to Ukraine.
“Oschadbank demands the immediate release of its employees and property and their return to Ukraine,” the bank reiterated.
The detention of seven Oschadbank employees by Hungarian authorities during a cash transport operation has raised significant concerns. The Ukrainian government is demanding their immediate release and the return of substantial assets seized during the incident.