Hungary Summons Russian Ambassador After Ukraine Drone Attack Near Border Region
Hungary summons Russian envoy after Ukraine border drone strikes amid shifting stance toward Moscow.
Budapest, Hungary — Hungary has summoned the Russian ambassador to protest a large-scale drone attack near its border with Ukraine, in a move signalling a sharp shift in tone from the country’s new leadership toward Moscow after years of close relations under former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán.
The Russian ambassador, Evgeny Stanislavov, is expected to appear at Hungary’s foreign ministry on Thursday, where he will meet senior officials to discuss strikes that hit Ukraine’s Transcarpathia region on Wednesday. The region, which lies close to the Hungarian border, is home to a significant ethnic Hungarian minority, adding sensitivity to the latest escalation in the ongoing war.
Prime Minister Péter Magyar strongly condemned the attack, calling it unacceptable and announcing the summons during a press briefing in southern Hungary. He said the government would demand clarification from Moscow on when the conflict—now in its fifth year—might come to an end, describing the situation as a “bloody war” with widening regional consequences. The Foreign Ministry is also expected to reiterate Hungary’s protest during the meeting with the Russian envoy.
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The development follows one of the most intense aerial assaults of the war, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stating that Russia launched at least 800 drones in a prolonged daytime barrage targeting around 20 regions, including Transcarpathia. The attack reportedly killed at least six people and injured dozens, among them children, making it one of the most extensive strikes in recent months.
Zelenskyy welcomed Hungary’s decision to summon the ambassador, describing it as an important signal and thanking Prime Minister Magyar for his remarks. He said Russia’s actions once again demonstrated a threat not only to Ukraine but also to neighbouring countries and broader European security, reinforcing concerns among NATO and European Union members.
The diplomatic move marks a notable departure from Hungary’s previous approach under Orbán, during which Budapest maintained comparatively warm ties with Moscow despite Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The Russian government has not yet publicly responded to the summons. Earlier, Ambassador Stanislavov had dismissed concerns over Russian influence in Hungary, calling such warnings “imaginary” and emphasising Moscow’s aim to maintain normal bilateral relations.
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