https://www.reuters.com/world/ukraine-accuses-hungary-taking-hostage-bank-employees-who-were-carrying-82-2026-03-06/
Hungary says it detains seven Ukrainians for suspected money laundering
"On March 5, 2026, it detained seven Ukrainian citizens, including a former Ukrainian intelligence service general, and two armoured cash-in-transit vehicles, which were transporting a total of $40 million, 35 million euros and nine kilograms of gold from Austria to Ukraine."
The tax authority said it was working together with counter-terrorism forces.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto said Ukraine must provide answers regarding cash transits across Hungary.
The Telex news site reported earlier on Friday that Hungary's counter-terrorism forces had raided two cash-in-transit vehicles with Ukrainian licence plates on a highway.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the people detained were employees of Oschadbank.
"In fact, we are talking about Hungary taking hostages and stealing money," Sybiha wrote on X. "This is state terrorism and racketeering."
He said Ukraine had sent an official note demanding the immediate release of its citizens and would ask the European Union to "provide a clear qualification of Hungary’s unlawful actions".
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry later advised Ukrainian citizens against travel to Hungary, saying it could not guarantee their safety amid what it called the "arbitrary actions" of Hungarian authorities.