Hungarian authorities detained seven Ukrainian citizens and seized two armored cars carrying 40 million U.S. dollars, 35 million euros, and 9 kilograms of gold worth $1.5 million. The cash was being transported between Austria and Ukraine by employees of state-owned Oschadbank as part of regular banking services. Hungary's National Tax and Customs Administration confirmed the detentions and launched criminal proceedings on suspicion of money laundering.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Hungary of taking Ukrainians hostage and called the seizure state banditism. He warned that those responsible would be held accountable and said Kyiv would consider sanctions and other restrictive measures against Hungary. The incident has escalated tensions between the two nations already at odds over Hungary's access to Russian oil through a pipeline crossing Ukrainian territory.

Hungary's government later announced the seven Ukrainians would be expelled from Hungarian territory, including a former Ukrainian Security Service general and Air Force major. The move comes as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán escalates his anti-Ukraine campaign ahead of April elections, calling Ukraine Hungary's enemy and accusing President Zelenskyy of trying to provoke an energy crisis. Ukraine's Foreign Ministry urged its citizens to avoid traveling to Hungary, citing security concerns.