Russia's strikes on Zakarpattia were Putin's response to Orbán's defeat — The Times
The Russian strikes on Zakarpattia following political changes in Hungary may be a political response by the Kremlin. The Times reported this on May 18, suggesting that the attacks could be linked to a shift in political course in Budapest and the weakening of Viktor Orbán’s position.
It is noted that the recent strike on the Zakarpattia region, long considered one of Ukraine’s safest regions, was not only a military but also a political event. The article notes that the region, distant from the front lines and protected by the Carpathian Mountains, remained relatively calm throughout more than four years of full-scale war. At the same time, it has long been a sensitive point in relations between Ukraine and Hungary due to its significant Hungarian community.
According to the publication, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán actively used the war as a political tool domestically, particularly in the context of the elections and the situation in Zakarpattia. He allegedly convinced voters that the rise of his opponents could mean “war instead of peace.”
After the elections, according to the report, Péter Magyar took office as Hungary’s prime minister on May 9. Following this, as The Times notes, Russia launched a massive strike on Uzhhorod and other cities in Transcarpathia. Residents of the region described to the publication their shock at the attack and the loss of their sense of security. Some interviewees linked the incident to the change of government in Hungary, although this is presented as their personal opinion.
New Prime Minister Péter Magyar condemned the attack and stated his intention to summon the Russian ambassador for an explanation. His stance was welcomed by some Ukrainian officials, including President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
At the same time, analysts urge against drawing direct political conclusions. In particular, experts emphasize that the change in power in Hungary was more a result of an internal protest vote than an unambiguous geopolitical shift in society.
On the night of May 17, a number of Russian military-industrial complex and energy facilities in Moscow and the Moscow region were struck. Strikes were carried out on an oil depot in Durikino, an oil refinery in Kapotnya, the Angstrom microelectronics plant, and the Raduga Design Bureau, which develops cruise missiles.
On the morning of May 16, Moscow also came under attack by drones, causing airports in the Russian capital to temporarily suspend operations.
The “ATESH” partisan movement claimed responsibility for a sabotage operation in the Moscow region, which disrupted the functioning of elements of the Russian air defense system on the outskirts of the capital.
