Budapest Establishes Infiltration Channel for Russian Intelligence

Hungary may be opening a backdoor for Russian intelligence diversionary and reconnaissance groups into the European Union. This suspicion arises from Budapest’s decision to include Russians and Belarusians in the “national card” program, which grants work authorization in Hungary for two years with the possibility of extension. Approximately 65,000 people and their families are expected to enter Hungary under this program in the spring of 2025. This move will grant them entry into the EU without stringent checks. The decision by Budapest followed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s visit to Moscow. We are convinced that Hungary’s new visa policy will allow Russia to move freely across the EU, potentially facilitating espionage and diversionary activities by their intelligence services.

This development comes amid an unprecedented surge in Russian diversionary activities in Europe. On July 29, near Bremen, Germany, saboteurs set fire to railway cable shafts. In April 2024, we warned of the risks posed by Russian military intelligence operations targeting Germany’s railway infrastructure. Active operations by Russian military intelligence have also been reported in France.

We believe that the Kremlin has successfully influenced Hungary’s political leadership to minimize the fallout from the expulsion of Russian agents and intelligence officers who had been operating in Europe under diplomatic cover. Previously, we highlighted the significant security risks emanating from Budapest for both the EU and NATO.The increasing security risks to EU member states necessitate immediate and decisive action from the European Commission and the European Parliament regarding Hungary. The Hungarian border could become an uncontrolled channel for terrorists, saboteurs, and spies from Russia and Belarus to enter the EU. Additionally, there is a possibility that the authorities of these countries could use this channel to smuggle illegal migrants, as has already occurred at the borders with Poland and Finland.