Latest News on the War in Ukraine: Hungary Claims New 'Evidence' in Case of Confiscated Ukrainian Banking Convoy, Oschadbank Calls Them Fabricated

On April 8, Hungary reported that it possesses new 'evidence' concerning a Ukrainian banking convoy that was confiscated earlier in March. According to Hungarian officials, this convoy was allegedly involved in a money laundering operation. Speaking on behalf of the government, spokesperson Zoltan Kovacs stated that investigators discovered 'freshly printed euros and dollars that had never entered circulation,' claiming that this money is linked to several banks, including Ukraine's Oschadbank, as well as Polish and Gibraltar institutions.

Furthermore, the new 'evidence' reportedly includes video footage showing a Ukrainian official 'forging documents in a restroom at a gas station,' while his accomplices discuss 'corruption-related payments.' These allegations have sparked widespread resonance, as they cast doubt on the reputation of Ukrainian financial institutions.

In response to these claims, Oschadbank of Ukraine issued a statement on March 8, denying the 'evidence' provided by Hungary. The bank's statement read: 'The video contains an audio recording of a conversation among members of the cash collection team. Hungarian subtitles were added for publication for the Hungarian audience, including the phrase 'corruption money,' which does not exist in the audio track.' According to the bank, this is evidence of deliberate distortion of facts by the Hungarian side.

It is worth recalling that Hungarian authorities confiscated two Ukrainian armored banking vehicles on March 5, which were transporting approximately $82 million in cash and gold from Austria to Ukraine. Although the Ukrainian personnel accompanying the vehicles were released from custody the following day, Hungarian officials have yet to return the financial assets, claiming they are part of an ongoing investigation. Oschadbank stated that it intends to take legal action to recover the funds.

According to Oschadbank's report, Hungary has also failed to respond to numerous requests regarding the legal grounds for continuing to detain the personal property of bank employees. As Hungary prepares for parliamentary elections on April 12, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has increasingly used Ukraine as a political tool to attract the attention of his voters.

Investigative reports that emerged in early March indicate that Russia is interfering in the elections to assist Orban, raising concerns among European officials about potential intelligence exchanges between Budapest and Moscow.

On the night of April 8, Russian forces struck an oil refinery in the city of Merefa in the Kharkiv region, causing 'significant' damage, as reported by the Ukrainian state broadcaster Suspilne, citing the legal director of the refinery, Anastasia Cherednikova. Russian troops attacked 17 settlements in the region, using over 60 drones of various types and five guided aerial bombs in the last day, according to local authorities.

One of the strikes hit the city of Merefa, where the refinery is located. Four houses and three cars were also damaged, noted Governor Oleg Synegubov. Cherednikova reported that there were no casualties as a result of the attack on the facility, but the oil refinery, which has been attacked for the fifth time since the full-scale invasion began, sustained 'significant' damage.

'The enterprise will continue to operate, as we have a very large team. We will resume operations, but we cannot say how long it will take,' Cherednikova said in an interview with Suspilne. During the attack on the oil refinery in March 2025, Russia used about 20 long-range drones, forcing the facility to temporarily suspend operations due to damage.

On April 8, Ukrainian leadership welcomed a two-week ceasefire achieved between the United States and Iran but emphasized that it is time to pressure Russia to also end the war in Ukraine. 'American determination is working. We believe it is time for sufficient resolve to compel Moscow to cease fire and end its war against Ukraine,' stated Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiga on social media platform X.

These comments came after Washington and Tehran announced a ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan, signaling de-escalation in a conflict that has lasted over a month and led to rising energy prices and thousands of human casualties. President Volodymyr Zelensky described the ceasefire as 'the right decision,' as it helps avoid casualties among the population and destruction of cities and villages, as well as allowing energy infrastructure to function.

The Ukrainian leader also emphasized Kyiv's readiness to assist countries in the region in combating Shahed drone attacks—armaments that are used daily in Russian attacks on Ukraine. Iran is a key ally of Russia during its war in Ukraine, supplying kamikaze drones and helping Moscow develop its own analogs.

'Ukraine has always called for a ceasefire in the war that Russia is waging here in Europe against our state and our people,' the president noted on social media. 'Ukraine once again tells Russia: we are ready to respond in kind if the Russians stop their strikes.' Kyiv had previously conveyed a proposal to Russia for an energy ceasefire through intermediaries from the United States.

The potential Easter ceasefire envisions that Ukraine will cease drone attacks on Russian oil and gas facilities, while Moscow will refrain from attacking the Ukrainian energy grid. The Kremlin rejected this initiative. Efforts by the United States to mediate peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia have largely stalled in recent weeks, as President Donald Trump's attention has shifted to the war with Iran.

Russia has repeatedly dismissed the possibility of a ceasefire along the current frontline, insisting that...