Hungary Dismisses Zelensky’s Claim of Drone Incursions into Ukraine

Budapest, Sept 2025 : Hungary has firmly rejected allegations by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that Hungarian reconnaissance drones violated Ukraine’s airspace.

Earlier, Zelensky wrote on the social media platform X that Ukrainian forces had detected drone flights “likely Hungarian” in origin. He claimed the drones appeared to target industrial areas along Ukraine’s border, based on preliminary assessments.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto swiftly denied the charge. Posting on Facebook, he said Zelensky “is losing himself in anti-Hungarian sentiments” and accused the Ukrainian leader of “chasing phantoms.”

Strained Relations

The exchange reflects the tense relationship between Budapest and Kyiv in recent years. Hungary has repeatedly criticized Ukrainian actions against the Druzhba oil pipeline, a vital supply route for Russian crude to Hungary. It has also voiced concerns about restrictions on the rights of Ukraine’s ethnic Hungarian minority in the Transcarpathian region.

Hungary is among the EU members most skeptical of Ukraine’s accession to the European Union. Budapest argues that Kyiv must first provide stronger guarantees for minority protections and has warned that Ukraine’s entry could destabilize the EU’s agricultural subsidy system.

Aid Despite Disputes

Despite these disputes, Hungary has extended humanitarian support to Ukraine since the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict in February 2022. It opened its borders to refugees, offered shelter, and even established a Ukrainian-language school for displaced children.

However, high-level political relations remain fraught, with both governments frequently exchanging accusations through public statements. The latest drone dispute underscores the continuing mistrust between the two neighbors, even as Hungary balances its humanitarian support for Ukrainians with its opposition to deeper political integration of Kyiv into European institutions.

Team Maverick.