What were Hungarian drones searching for on Ukrainian soil? And why? Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated he knows the exact target of Hungarian reconnaissance drones that violated Ukrainian airspace this week, UNIAN reports.
On 26 September, Zelenskyy reported recent incidents along the Ukrainian-Hungarian border. Ukrainian border guards recorded reconnaissance drone incursions, which, according to preliminary assessments, may have been surveying the industrial potential of border regions.
“I believe they are doing very dangerous things. Very dangerous things, first and foremost for themselves,” Zelenskyy emphasized on 27 September.
Though he did not reveal the object or the area that was under surveillance, he said such operations are creating serious risks primarily for Hungary itself.
Recorded flights and reconnaissance targets
The Ukrainian president added, “I asked our intelligence and Armed Forces to show people — everything is there: movements recorded electronically, photos, and various pieces of evidence.”
Since 2022, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and his government's policy on Ukraine has often favored the Kremlin in the war against Ukraine.
Orbán has repeatedly opposed military aid to Ukraine, blocked EU sanctions against Russia, conducted negotiations with Moscow, and voiced support for a quick peace deal with Moscow that cedes territory to Russia and eliminates Ukraine's sovereignty.
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In 2025, the Ukrainian Security Service also uncovered a Hungarian military intelligence network in Zakarpattia, the region bordering Hungary. The network gathered information about regional military security and public-political sentiment. Two agents, including one career Hungarian intelligence officer, were detained.
Ukraine is ready for both defense and dialogue
Zelenskyy stressed that Ukraine is always open to dialogue, but will respond firmly to any further airspace violations.
“Ukrainians are currently the best in Europe at defending against any drones,” the Ukrainian president noted.
He also expressed hope that Hungary will heed US President Donald Trump's call to stop buying Russian energy resources.
