Orbán Claims Ukraine Plans Actions Against Hungary’s Energy Infrastructure

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has announced heightened security measures for energy facilities following a meeting of the National Defence Council, claiming that Ukraine is planning “new actions” aimed at damaging Hungary’s energy infrastructure.

“I have ordered the strengthening of protection for energy infrastructure facilities. We will deploy military personnel near energy facilities and the necessary assets to prevent attacks. Police will patrol around designated power plants, distribution stations, and dispatch centers,” Orbán stated. He also announced a ban on drone flights in regions bordering Ukraine.

The move comes amid escalating tensions between Budapest and Kyiv over Russian oil supplies. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó recently claimed that Ukraine had halted Russian oil supplies to Hungary through the Druzhba pipeline for political reasons, despite the pipeline not being destroyed during a Russian attack on January 27. Szijjártó alleged Ukraine’s decision was meant to influence Hungary’s upcoming parliamentary elections by supporting the opposition.

Hungary has used the dispute to justify its continued blocking of the EU’s 20th sanctions package against Russia and opposition to a €90 billion European loan to Ukraine.

Analysts note that Orbán’s claims lack publicly available evidence, with Budapest failing to present concrete facts to EU or NATO allies that would confirm any direct threat from Kyiv. The timing of these accusations is significant, coming just weeks before Hungary’s April 12 parliamentary elections.

The electoral contest represents an unprecedented challenge for Orbán, with polls showing the opposition Tisza party, led by Péter Magyar, leading the ruling Fidesz party by 10-11 percentage points. This marks the first serious electoral threat to Orbán’s government in many years.

Political observers suggest the prime minister is deploying security rhetoric as a strategy to consolidate support amid declining popularity. “Creating an external threat narrative allows Orbán to position himself as the sole guarantor of national security rather than defending his economic and governance record,” said one Budapest-based analyst who requested anonymity.

The heightened security measures—including military deployments near energy infrastructure and drone flight restrictions—serve both practical and symbolic purposes. They reinforce a sense of emergency and cultivate what critics call a “fortress under siege” mentality that can benefit incumbent governments facing electoral challenges.

Hungary’s energy dependence on Russia has been a defining feature of Orbán’s foreign policy. The country receives discounted Russian oil via the Druzhba pipeline, which crosses Ukraine. While this arrangement provides short-term economic benefits, it creates strategic vulnerabilities and gives Moscow significant leverage over Budapest.

“Orbán has consistently positioned himself as the most pro-Russian leader within the EU,” said Péter Krekó, director of the Political Capital Institute in Budapest. “The current crisis over the Druzhba pipeline perfectly illustrates how energy dependence transforms into a political instrument.”

The Hungarian government’s narrative about Ukrainian threats to energy security aligns closely with Russian messaging. By portraying Ukraine rather than Russia as a source of energy instability, critics argue Hungary is effectively amplifying Kremlin talking points at a time when Russian forces continue systematic attacks on Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure.

Further inflaming tensions, Szijjártó recently claimed in parliament that the EU is “turning into a military alliance and preparing for war with Russia,” suggesting the bloc has forgotten its founding purpose of ensuring peace and prosperity.

“Decisions have been made. There are two nuclear states in Europe—the United Kingdom and France. They have given written consent to send soldiers to Ukraine,” Szijjártó alleged, though he did not provide evidence for these claims.

The Hungarian government’s positioning comes as EU leaders work to strengthen European defense capabilities in response to Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine. What Budapest characterizes as militarization, other EU members view as necessary adaptation to a dramatically changed security environment.

As Hungary approaches its most competitive election in years, the heightened rhetoric around national security and alleged external threats will likely intensify. Political analysts suggest Orbán is calculating that security concerns will overshadow domestic issues where his government has faced criticism.

The standoff over energy supplies and security highlights the complex intersection of energy policy, national security, and electoral politics in Central Europe. It also underscores the continuing challenges to EU unity on Ukraine and Russia policy, with Hungary maintaining its role as the member state most willing to break with the European consensus.