Hungary is withdrawing military personnel from infrastructure security duties following the elections
Following the elections, Hungary decided to withdraw the military personnel who had been deployed to guard critical infrastructure sites.
This was reported by HVG.
During the election campaign, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán suggested that Ukraine might strike Hungary’s energy systems amid the alleged blocking of the resumption of operations on the Druzhba oil pipeline, and deployed troops to protect them.
The order to withdraw the troops was issued by Gábor Bőrondi, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces. “The Hungarian Armed Forces have begun to streamline the number of military personnel involved in reinforcing the protection of infrastructure and energy facilities,” the General Staff reported.
According to a statement from the General Staff, critical infrastructure operators have meanwhile reviewed and adjusted their security measures and strengthened the protection of their own facilities.
"Therefore, the Hungarian Armed Forces will gradually reduce the number of deployed forces starting April 15, 2026, and withdraw troops from locations where the Ministry of Energy no longer considers military reinforcement necessary," the General Staff’s statement reads.
The Hungarian Army has deployed 600 soldiers to guard energy infrastructure.
Hungary sees no threat from Ukraine, says Balázs Orbán.
As a reminder, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán issued a decree halting the transit of natural gas to Ukraine through Hungarian territory starting in July.
Earlier it was reported that European experts would visit the Druzhba oil pipeline in Ukraine. They are to assess the situation at the facility ahead of an important meeting of EU leaders regarding financial aid to Kyiv.
It was also reported that Ukraine accepted EU aid for the repair of the Druzhba pipeline.
