On Friday, the Ukrainian CPD announced the detection of a Russian operation intended to influence the course of elections in Hungary. A recording has appeared online which, according to the Center, shows Ukrainian soldiers planning riots in Budapest, following the example of the events in Maidan. According to CPD, the material shows clear traces of staging – the people in the film speak Ukrainian, but their behavior and situational context seem artificial and unnatural.
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Anti-Ukrainian provocation?
The center also noted that the first publications of the recording appeared on profiles that regularly disseminate anti-Ukrainian content related to Russian propaganda. Increased activity of pro-Russian bloggers has also been noticed, promoting the narrative about alleged Ukrainian interference in the elections in Hungary.
According to information provided by CPD, the recording is part of a broader operation under which former Berkut officers who had taken refuge in Russia after the disbandment of the unit in 2014 could be brought to Budapest. Their task would be to participate in staged provocations or create fabricated evidence that would be used to further accusations against Ukraine.
A false flag operation?
Hungarian investigative journalist Szabolcs Panyi, citing sources in the security services, reported on Saturday about planned provocations in Budapest. As he wrote on the X platform, according to his interlocutors, Russian services are planning false flag operations in which people impersonating Ukrainian refugees will take part. They would lead to Maidan-style riots in Ferenciek Square and Kossuth Square, where the elections will be observed by representatives of the pro-Kremlin far-left.
In the last weeks before the elections, Hungarian investigative journalists reported on the activity of Russian internet bots supporting the campaign of the Fidesz party, led by Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The American daily “Washington Post” reported on the idea of carrying out an attack on the prime minister, which would be staged by the Russians and increase Orban's chances for re-election.
The Hungarian parliamentary elections will be held on Sunday. Polls from independent centers indicate that the opposition Tisza party can count on support from 49 to 58 percent. decisive voters, while Fidesz obtains from 35 to 38 percent. In turn, research conducted by centers related to the government indicates that Fidesz has an advantage of several percentage points.
