The SSU has exposed a Hungarian intelligence officer who was running a network of agents in Zakarpattia
The Counter-Intelligence Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine has identified a Hungarian military intelligence officer who was coordinating the activities of a spy network in Zakarpattia. Two members of the spy ring had previously been detained in connection with this case.
According to the investigation, the network was led by Zoltán André, a career officer in the Hungarian military intelligence service. He organised meetings in Hungary with an informant from Zakarpattia, who was subsequently detained by Ukrainian law enforcement officers.
The investigation established that between 2016 and 2020, Andre was in Georgia, where he carried out intelligence activities under the cover of a representative of the Hungarian diplomatic mission. Upon his return in 2021, he began intelligence and subversive activities against Ukraine.
In 2021, he recruited a former soldier from the Berehove district and placed him on standby. In September 2024, this agent was activated to carry out tasks in Zakarpattia.
It has been documented that the agent gathered information on the deployment locations of the Ukrainian Defence Forces and attempted to identify the positions of Ukrainian air defence systems. He was also tasked with identifying candidates for further recruitment, particularly among military personnel and law enforcement officers.
According to available data, Andre used the facilities of Hungarian diplomatic missions in Zakarpattia for recruitment, where local residents submitted applications for Hungarian citizenship. Potential agents were offered money and other incentives.
Meetings with agents and recruitment interviews were mainly held in a car, with the intelligence officer using an operational alias.
Among those recruited was also a former contract soldier from one of the combat brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. She was detained by SSU officers along with another agent. Another serviceman was also identified, whom they attempted to recruit by offering regular supplies of narcotics.
The SSU’s counter-intelligence unit is continuing its efforts to identify all members of the spy network.
The Security Service of Ukraine urges citizens to report suspicious activities and contacts through official channels.
