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Posted on 03/07/2026 4:47:14 AM PST by delta7
The incident further inflamed tensions between Hungary and Ukraine, which are embroiled in a bitter feud over Hungary’s access to Russian oil through a pipeline that crosses Ukrainian territory.
Hungarian authorities have detained seven Ukrainian citizens, including a former intelligence officer, and seized two armored cars carrying large amounts of cash across Hungary on suspicion of money laundering, officials said Friday.
Ukraine accused Hungary of taking the Ukrainians hostage and illegally seizing millions of dollars in cash.
“This is state terrorism and racketeering,” Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on X late Thursday.
The seven were employees of the Ukrainian state-owned Oschadbank, and they were traveling in two armored cars that were carrying the money between Austria and Ukraine when they were detained, Sybiha said.
The armored cars were carrying cash as part of regular services between state banks, he said, adding that the status of the employees was unknown.
In a separate statement, Oschadbank wrote that 40 million U.S. dollars as well as 35 million euros and 9 kilograms (19.8 pounds) of gold — worth around $1.5 million at current prices — had been apprehended by Hungary.
Hungary’s National Tax and Customs Administration confirmed Friday that it had detained seven Ukrainian citizens and seized the two armored cash-transport vehicles. It added it was conducting criminal proceedings on suspicion of money laundering.
Hungary’s Interior Ministry, Foreign Ministry and Counter-Terrorism Centre did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
GPS data showed the vehicles were in the center of Budapest near one of Hungary’s law enforcement agencies, but that the location of the bank employees remained unknown, the Ukrainian bank said.
The incident further inflamed tensions between Hungary and Ukraine, which are embroiled in a bitter feud over Hungary’s access to Russian oil through a pipeline that crosses Ukrainian territory.
Oil shipments through the Druzhba pipeline have been interrupted since Jan. 27. Ukraine says a Russian drone strike damaged the pipeline’s infrastructure, and that repairing it carried risks to technicians. It said that even if restored, it would remain vulnerable to further Russian attacks.
Hungary’s government, however, has accused Ukraine of deliberately holding up supplies of Russian crude, and has vowed to take countermeasures against Kyiv until oil flows resume.......
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OM, release them and keep the money
OM, release them and keep the money
It was money being transported from Austria to Ukraine. Not fleeing Ukraine.
Well, we know where some of OUR MONEY has gone….
It’s a confusing story, but the 7 bank workers have been released.
I thought we shut down USAID. Is this Soros money?
The important question is did they kick up 10% to the big guy
If they can get some gunfire across the border, oOrban probably can legitimately make a declaration of martial law and suspend the election scheduled for April which is polling in both directions.
Or he could make a case for conspiracy of the opposition with Ukraine’s people firing across the border. That would move votes
I don’t even know what’s going on, but I’m slowly getting the feeling that... I just don’t LIKE Ukraine. They’re shady as hell. I guess I’m with the Hungarians on this. Keep the money. Call it a toll.
Then deny the whole thing 😁
In 2018, they were near the top of the list of most corrupt nations. Organized crime is in the very DNA of Ukraine.
Why are banks sending physical bank notes across countries?
If this was legitimate, the banks would be using digital curriers. Do you ever hear of Wells Fargo sending $80 million in cash to Guatemala using armored car through Mexico?
Advise to Hungary: Keep the money.
Parallel sources:
"The Hungarian Tax Authority's decision to have counter-terrorism forces swoop on two Ukrainian armoured vehicles transporting cash to Ukraine marks a dramatic escalation of tensions that have already resulted in Budapest blocking tens of billions of euros in European Union aid for Kyiv."320 pounds of physical gold, among the monetary assets. Who makes change for a transaction in "ounces," an ounce currently valued at over $5K, amounting to over 5,000 ounces?Source: Hungary's $82 million bank transit swoop deepens spat with Ukraine Reutersm 5 March 2026.
"The National Tax and Customs Administration (NAV) is currently investigating a suspected 'shocking crime': Ukrainians have been transporting incredible amounts of cash and gold through Hungary in recent months, Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said on Friday in Budapest. The Hungarian government demands an immediate response and explanation from Ukraine regarding the cash deliveries, as 'the question rightly arises as to whether these are funds belonging to the Ukrainian war mafia.'
" 'Since January, a total of $900 million and €420 million in cash has been transported through Hungary, and 146 kilograms of gold bars have also been moved through the country,' the minister said.
Source: Gold and Cash Transport from Austria to Ukraine Stopped in Hungary Hungary Today, 6 March 2026.
As to the cash -- in dollars and Euros -- given the Ukrainian government issues its own hryvnia, why the mix of dollars and Euros which would have to be changed into a local currency for ordinary expenses?
Obama pulled the same stunt years ago with currency sent to Iran, one recalls. Seems "cash is king" still applies.....
The Austrian bank employees were all released.
The $83 million seized by Hungary will not pay all of the disputed amount between Hungary and Ukraine over Russian pipeline oil, but it will serve as leverage in Hungary's negotiations with Ukraine for compensation.
Nope... Sounds like a common bank transfer and they happen daily pretty much everywhere on earth.
This a Hungary being p*ssed at the Ukrainians because they’re cutting off Russia’s dirty oil from getting to them. If they want oil they should buy it from the west.
It is not just Hungary that is at loggerheads with Zelensky, but also Slovakia.
I guess another reason for shipping dollar notes, euro notes and gold bullion to Ukraine might be that hryvnia notes are no longer trust-worthy?
That's a lie.
What's true is that in 2001 Ukraine was ranked (#85/102) along with Russia among the world's most corrupt countries.
Today, Russia (#157/181) is still among the world's most corrupt -- along with Iran, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan & Haiti -- while Ukraine (#104/181) has improved by half and now ranks with countries like India, Turkey & Brazil.
Sadly, today the USA has fallen from #16 least corrupt in 2001 to #29/181 in the Corruption Perceptions Index.
That’s $82M.
Those are dollars.
That’s us.
And we continue to play like everything is just fine.
Why do you think they're so popular with the d/s/c party?
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