What happened in Zakarpattia after Ukraine announced a spy network arrest?
A look back at the espionage case involving Hungary and a related aviation ruling, as reported in the days before 14 May 2025.
What was the fallout from the Security Service of Ukraine's announcement of a spy network in Zakarpattia Oblast? By 14 May 2025, the case had become a diplomatic dispute between Kyiv and Budapest.
On 9 May 2025, the Security Service of Ukraine said it had uncovered and dismantled an espionage network operating under the direction of Hungarian intelligence in Zakarpattia Oblast. Two people were arrested on suspicion of spying for Hungary. The region is home to an ethnic minority of more than 150,000 Hungarians.
The Hungarian foreign ministry responded by expelling two Ukrainian diplomats. It characterised the allegations as anti-Hungarian.
A separate ruling on MH17
On 12 May 2025, the International Civil Aviation Organization found Russia responsible for the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight 17 over Donetsk Oblast in 2014.
