Documents seen by The Washington Post indicate that Russian intelligence has proposed a staged assassination attempt on Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán to sway the upcoming election. The Kremlin's spokesperson Dmitry Peskov called this report another example of disinformation, dismissing it as false. This allegation highlights the intense geopolitical stakes in Hungary's election, where Russia is accused of deploying various assets to boost Orbán's chances, though it remains unclear whether the proposal was presented at a higher level in Moscow.
A false claim that Péter Magyar, leader of the opposition Tisza Party, plans to reintroduce military conscription in Hungary has spread online, linked by researchers to a Russian disinformation campaign by the group Storm-1516. Tisza's manifesto explicitly rules out reintroducing conscription, sending troops to Ukraine, and advocates for increased military spending and scaling back non-beneficial foreign missions. However, Orbán's Fidesz party has echoed the false conscription claim, campaigning that Tisza will involve Hungary in the Ukraine war, redirect pension funds to Kyiv, and impose conscription, amplifying the disinformation.
Russia's embassy in Budapest is reportedly serving as a Kremlin-run part-time command center for Hungary's election campaign, with interference organized in collaboration with Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, his government, and his Fidesz party. A three-person team of 'political technologists' traveled to Hungary to help Orbán secure another election victory, according to sources from European intelligence agencies, with information on this interference obtained from three different European intelligence sources. The Russian operatives are reportedly working under the supervision of Sergey Kiriyenko, deputy head of the presidential administration, tasked with organizing a social media campaign targeting Magyar and his Tisza Party. VSquare, citing three undisclosed European national security sources, reports that Russia is sending social media specialists to Hungary to meddle in the April elections in favor of Orbán, with the three-member team working from the Russian Embassy in Budapest on behalf of the GRU, shielded by diplomatic immunity, though it remains unclear whether they have started their activity. Sergei Kiriyenko has reportedly been tasked with overseeing the Russian operation in Hungary, using methods deployed in Moldovan elections, with his task force in active contact with campaign operatives connected to Orbán's government, and an investigation indicates Vladimir Putin instructed Sergey Kiriyenko to 'deal with' Hungary.
Another example of disinformation.
Viktor Orbán is the EU's most pro-Russian leader, criticizing Ukraine and blocking EU loans, with allegations that Russia is deploying assets to boost his election chances. If Tisza wins, Russia loses its most reliable ally in Europe, as Orbán's government has served Russian interests by blocking EU sanctions and aid to Ukraine. With Magyar in power, Hungary is expected to create closer ties with Europe and potentially resume aid to Ukraine, moving away from Orbán's pro-Russian stance. Orbán's anti-Ukrainian narratives strengthen the cover for Russian propagandists, and the Hungarian government is broadly regarded as the most Kremlin-friendly in the EU, maintaining warm relations with Russia despite the war in Ukraine.
Hungarian rights groups raised concerns over the appointment of Vladimir Putin's former interpreter, Daria Boyarskaya, to a key role in an OSCE election monitoring mission, fearing Russian interference.
Péter Magyar called for an investigation into alleged leaks of confidential EU information by Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó to Russia, calling it potential 'treason.' The European Commission demanded clarifications from Hungary over reports that Szijjártó disclosed EU meeting details to Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. A leaked recording shows Szijjártó offering to send Lavrov a document about Ukraine's EU accession, reigniting concerns over Budapest's Kremlin ties. Orbán ordered an investigation into alleged wiretapping of Foreign Minister Szijjártó, shifting focus from the leaks to the surveillance.
The Orban government's narrative on social media has been weak and unsuccessful, and Russians want to help with troll armies, algorithm manipulation, and fear-mongering content.
Russian intelligence actively spreads disinformation in collaboration with Hungarian propaganda to discredit the opposition, including labeling Péter Magyar as a corrupt Ukrainian agent.
MEPs urged the European Commission to investigate Russian manipulation, intimidation of journalists, and voter coercion by Fidesz ahead of the elections.
Hungarian spies in the EU have lost their protection and may face prosecution in Hungary and Belgium, following investigations into espionage. Journalist Szabolcs Panyi confirmed giving Szijjártó's phone numbers to an EU country's state body for investigation, leading to government accusations against him.
I will use force to break what he called a Ukrainian oil blockade.
The Kremlin will not congratulate Péter Magyar on his election win, calling Hungary an 'unfriendly country' due to sanctions support.
Magyar's supermajority allows constitutional changes to undo Orbán's 'illiberal democracy' by loosening state control over judiciary, state companies, and media.
Budapest blocked the EU's 20th package of sanctions against Russia and a loan to Ukraine over the suspension of the Ukrainian section of the Druzhba pipeline. Kyiv says the pipeline requires repairs due to a Russian attack, while Slovakia and Hungary accused Ukraine of deliberately withholding supplies. Ukraine reported that several Ukrainian state bank employees were detained in Hungary while transporting cash shipments from Austria, and Budapest and Bratislava called for a joint inspection of the damaged pipeline with EU participation.