Provocation agreed with Russia: expert on the detention of Ukrainian debt collectors in Hungary

Currently, Moscow and Budapest are waiting for Ukraine’s reaction to launch the process, believes Dmytro Zhmailo.

The detention of Ukrainian debt collectors in Hungary is a coordinated action by Hungary and Russia. This opinion was expressed on the air of “Kyiv 24” by Dmytro Zhmaylo, co-founder and executive director of the Ukrainian Center for Security and Cooperation.

He noted that Russia, through Hungary, is blocking the transfer of 90 billion euros in EU aid to Ukraine, as well as sanctions against Moscow.

“That is, Orban is becoming a battering ram for Russia’s interests. With such actions, he wants to provoke us. And Russian psychological forces are already preparing to incite this. The necessary group is already working at the Russian embassy in Budapest. They are waiting for our reaction to these actions in order to start a flywheel of information operations. The Russians are waiting for this, in particular on the Druzhba oil pipeline. That is, this is such a coordinated campaign,” Zhmaylo said.

He added that in this way Orban is also raising the price for his ability to negotiate with the European Union, since the Hungarian Prime Minister understands that the Europeans will raise issues with him regarding both sanctions and aid to Ukraine.

“Therefore, this is a completely planned action. We saw how Ukrainian collectors were laid face down on the ground, this picture was created. What was involved in the seizure of special forces. Therefore, this is clearly a planned provocation, coordinated with Russia. With very expected benefits that the Hungarian leader expects,” Zhmailo explained.

(c)UNIAN 2026