According to a report by "Kyiv Independent" based on a survey from "Gradus Research Company", half of Ukrainians view Hungary as a hostile country. This survey categorizes Hungary alongside nations like Iran, North Korea, and Belarus in terms of perceived animosity. This reflects a significant shift in the perception of Hungary among Ukrainians, highlighting the geopolitical tensions that have arisen due to ongoing conflicts in the region.

Additionally, Russia has reportedly initiated a broad hybrid operation aimed at exacerbating tensions between Ukraine and Hungary, particularly targeting the ethnic Hungarian community in Western Ukraine. The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) believes that Russia is attempting to destabilize the situation in the Transcarpathian region and escalate conflicts between the two nations. Russian agents have allegedly posed as Ukrainian law enforcement officials or nationalists, contacting ethnic Hungarians in the area and threatening them with violence, urging them to leave the country.

Utilizing techniques such as caller ID spoofing to make their calls appear to originate from within Ukraine, these operations signify a concerning strategy by Russia to manipulate perceptions and incite discord. The SBU has announced that it is actively working to counter these deceptive tactics and protect the vulnerable communities being targeted, emphasizing the importance of unity and stability in the face of hybrid threats from foreign adversaries.