Overview
- Hungary’s tax authority said it detained seven Ukrainians and two Oschadbank armored vehicles on suspicion of money laundering, working with the Counter‑Terrorism Centre.
- Ukraine called the move hostage‑taking and state racketeering, sent a formal note demanding release, and warned its citizens to avoid travel to Hungary as consular access was denied.
- Oschadbank said the convoy was a routine transfer with Raiffeisen Bank Austria carrying $40 million, €35 million and 9 kg of gold, and GPS showed the vehicles at a Hungarian security facility.
- Prime Minister Viktor Orbán vowed to use every means until Russian oil flows via Druzhba resume, highlighting halted fuel exports to Ukraine and threats to stop other Ukraine‑bound transit.
- Hungarian officials said the detainees would be expelled, Kyiv dispatched a National Bank team to Budapest, and Ukraine’s central bank chief said the seized valuables had not been returned.