Kyiv: Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha announced the successful return of seven Ukrainian nationals who had been detained in Hungary. Sybiha shared this development on the social media platform X, noting that the individuals are now safe and have crossed back into Ukraine. He expressed gratitude towards the consular staff, the Ukrainian Embassy in Hungary, and others who played a role in securing their return.

According to Anadolu Agency, Hungary's National Tax and Customs Administration had detained the seven Ukrainians and two armored cash-transport vehicles as part of a criminal investigation into suspected money laundering. The vehicles were reportedly transporting significant sums of money and gold from Austria to Ukraine. Oschadbank, the Kyiv-based bank to which the vehicles and crew belonged, claimed the detentions were unjustified.

Hungarian authorities, however, cited the involvement of a former general of Ukraine's Security Service and other individuals with military experience in the transport operation. This led to the decision to expel the seven individuals from Hungary. The incident has heightened diplomatic tensions between Kyiv and Budapest, exacerbated by recent disagreements over oil and diesel shipments.

In response, Ukraine's Foreign Ministry has advised its citizens against traveling to Hungary, citing concerns over their safety due to the actions of Hungarian authorities. The diplomatic strains continue amid ongoing disputes over energy supplies and political leverage in the region.