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Explosive Device Found Near Gas Pipeline in Serbia Sparks Hungarian Election Controversy

PoliticsPolitics
Key Points
  • A powerful explosive device was reportedly found near a Russian gas pipeline in Serbia that supplies Hungary, just days before Hungarian elections.
  • Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has deployed military to protect the pipeline, while opposition leader Péter Magyar accuses him of staging a 'false flag' operation.
  • Ukraine has denied involvement and suggested it might be Russian interference, as the incident becomes a major issue in Hungary's election campaign.

A powerful explosive device has reportedly been discovered near a Russian gas pipeline in Serbia that supplies Hungary, sparking political controversy just days before Hungary's parliamentary elections. According to reports, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced the discovery on Instagram and informed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán about the incident.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has described the pipeline as critical infrastructure and reportedly deployed military forces to protect it on the Hungarian side, calling it a sabotage attempt. However, the timing of the discovery has led to accusations of political manipulation.

Orbán is trying to 'spread panic' on the advice of 'Russian advisors.'

Péter Magyar, Opposition leader

Opposition leader Péter Magyar, who is challenging Orbán in Sunday's election, has accused the prime minister of staging a 'false flag' operation to influence the election outcome. Magyar reportedly stated that Orbán is trying to 'spread panic' on the advice of 'Russian advisors.'

Ukraine has categorically denied any involvement in the incident, with a foreign ministry spokesperson suggesting it might be a Russian 'false flag operation' as part of Moscow's alleged interference in the Hungarian election. The explosive device was reportedly found in two backpacks containing an unknown explosive substance near the Serbian town of Kanjiža, close to the Hungarian border.

It might be a Russian 'false flag operation' as part of Moscow's alleged interference in the Hungarian election.

, Ukraine foreign ministry spokesperson

The incident has become a major political issue in the final days of Hungary's election campaign, with Orbán's Fidesz party having made criticism of Ukraine a central theme. Some security experts had reportedly warned about the possibility of a staged attack on the gas pipeline in Serbia ahead of the election.

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