Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Examines Case of Seized Cash Transport Vehicles

The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has officially confirmed that the case involving the seizure of cash transport vehicles belonging to Oschadbank and the extraction of significant amounts of cash and gold is being examined in a legal context. Spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry, Georgiy Tikhiy, emphasized that lawyers, particularly from the affected banks, are actively working on recovering the stolen funds back to Ukraine. He highlighted that the stolen funds do not belong to the state but to depositors who are taxpayers of Ukraine.

“Lawyers, including those from our banks, are working on recovering the stolen funds back to Ukraine. These were stolen from a state bank. Let me remind you once again, there is no such thing as state funds. We are talking about the funds of depositors, taxpayers of Ukraine,” Tikhiy stated during a press conference, as reported by the news agency NV.

The spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry also pointed out that the Hungarian side had stolen this money and continues to hold it in Budapest. According to him, Ukraine's position on this matter remains unchanged. “We consider this an act of state banditry, where Hungary kidnapped people and money that were moving within the framework of international agreements between Austria and Ukraine, to which Hungary had no relation at all,” Tikhiy emphasized.

He also noted that the government of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban is ready for any manipulations when it comes to the topic of Ukraine, especially in the context of the electoral campaign. “Let me remind you once again that Ukraine will strive for justice for those who kidnapped people and who stole money. This is not related to the electoral process; it is simply a criminal offense that requires punishment,” added the Foreign Ministry spokesperson.

On April 8, the Hungarian National Tax and Customs Administration announced the existence of “new evidence” in the case of the seizure of Ukrainian cash transport vehicles and the extraction of cash and gold, which occurred on March 5. The Hungarian side claims that the cash transport vehicles allegedly carried “freshly printed euros and dollars” that “never entered circulation.”

It is worth recalling that on the night of March 6, it became known that Hungarian law enforcement had unjustifiably detained two vehicles of Oschadbank's cash transport service and seven Ukrainian citizens — employees of the cash transport crew — during the transit of material valuables through Budapest. The vehicles were found to contain $40 million, €35 million, and 9 kg of gold. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga stated at that time that the Hungarian authorities had effectively taken Ukrainians hostage and stolen the money.

Subsequently, the National Tax and Customs Commission of Hungary announced the detention of seven Oschadbank employees on suspicion of “money laundering.” The National Police of Ukraine initiated criminal proceedings regarding the abduction of Ukrainian citizens and the theft of Oschadbank's service vehicle.

On the evening of March 6, the seven employees of Oschadbank's cash transport service, who were illegally detained in Hungary while performing a service flight, returned to Ukraine. According to the head of the National Bank of Ukraine, Andriy Pyshny, one of the detainees was hospitalized after being interrogated by Hungarian authorities.

On March 12, the press service of Oschadbank reported that the Hungarian side returned the cash transport vehicles; however, they were damaged. The cash and gold remained under arrest in Hungary, raising concerns among Ukrainian officials and the public.