By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
On Wednesday, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced that he has ordered military units and additional police forces to guard key energy infrastructure in eastern Hungary following a Ukrainian strike on Russian energy facilities that supply oil to Hungary and Slovakia.
According to Orbán, the move is aimed at preventing further disruptions that he says are intended to pressure Budapest over its position on the war in Ukraine.
“We will not give in to blackmail
I have ordered increased security for critical energy infrastructure.
The Ukrainian government is exerting pressure on the Hungarian and Slovak governments through an oil blockade. They will not stop there, as they are preparing further actions to disrupt Hungary’s energy system.
Hungary cannot be blackmailed,” Orbán said in remarks posted publicly.
The announcement follows reporting by Remix News, which reported that Ukrainian forces launched a large-scale drone strike on Russia’s Belgorod region, targeting energy infrastructure linked to oil exports serving Hungary and Slovakia.
According to that report, Ukrainian forces deployed more than 200 drones in the strike. Civilian casualties were reported, and the apparent targets included a natural gas facility and missile plants. The outlet said the disruption further complicated energy deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia.
“Ukraine has blocked oil deliveries on the Druzhba pipeline. There is no technical obstacle; this is a political decision. They are pressuring us over Russian energy, money, and EU membership. I make it clear: Hungary will not give in to blackmail,” Orbán said earlier this week.
Immediately after the attack, Orbán addressed the situation publicly, saying Hungary would resist pressure stemming from the disruption.
RT on Wednesday said that Orbán’s political director, Balázs Orbán, claimed Hungarian authorities have information indicating Kyiv has been “preparing further actions aimed at disrupting the operation of Hungary’s energy system.” The report noted that the deployment decision comes after Hungary vetoed the latest European Union sanctions package against Russia as well as a €90 billion emergency loan for Ukraine. The loan, agreed upon late last year, moved forward after Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic opted out of contributing financially.
Hungary has maintained a distinct position within the European Union and NATO since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began four years ago. While it is a NATO member, Budapest has declined to supply weapons to Kyiv and has repeatedly called for negotiations to end the conflict.
On February 3, Orbán said that Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic must work together to prevent the European Union from escalating the conflict.
“The @EPP wants to strip veto rights and turn the EU into a warmongering military alliance. This threatens all of Europe. Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic must continue working together to secure sovereignty and prevent Europe from being dragged into war. We cannot allow the EPP’s twisted plans to become Europe’s future,” Orbán wrote.
Hungarian officials have framed the recent energy disruptions as part of broader political pressure tied to Budapest’s resistance to additional sanctions and financial support for Ukraine. Kyiv has not publicly detailed any plans targeting Hungarian infrastructure.
The deployment of Hungarian troops and police units marks one of the most visible domestic security measures taken by Budapest since the conflict began, underscoring the strain energy security continues to place on Central European governments navigating the war’s economic and political fallout.
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