Hungarian intelligence services are accused of planning a raid on Ukrainian cash-in-transit vehicles set for March 5, with the intention to provoke a confrontation as Hungary approaches its parliamentary elections. This operation, as reported by investigative journalists, was reportedly overseen by Örs Farkas, the Hungarian state secretary in charge of civilian intelligence. The operation was aimed at detaining Ukrainian guards and seizing assets belonging to Oschadbank, a major Ukrainian bank.

The planning for this raid included extensive surveillance of the shipments of bank cargo being transported from Austria to Ukraine, which began as early as January 2026. Sources suggest that operatives tracked the routes taken by the cash-in-transit guards, even monitoring their stays at hotels in Vienna. This level of detailed intelligence gathering illustrates the severity of the operation and the extent to which Hungarian officials were willing to engage in actions that could escalate tensions with Ukraine.

The implications of this planned raid could be significant, potentially further straining the already complicated relationship between Hungary and Ukraine. With parliamentary elections on the horizon, the timing of such an operation raises questions about the political motivations behind it, as well as the overall security and diplomatic considerations involved. The unfolding situation poses risks not just to bilateral relations but could also have broader consequences for regional stability in Eastern Europe.