Hungary Strengthens Security for Turkish Stream Pipeline Following Alleged Sabotage Attempt
Hungary's Ministry of Defense has announced enhanced security measures for the Hungarian section of the Turkish Stream pipeline in response to an alleged sabotage attempt in neighboring Serbia.
The Hungarian Ministry of Defense has declared that the country's army has taken additional steps to ensure the security of the Hungarian section of the Turkish Stream pipeline. This decision follows an alleged sabotage attempt that reportedly occurred on Serbian territory.
Hungarian Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky stated that the military has intensified security measures along this segment of the pipeline. "The security of the entire Hungarian section has been reinforced with aerial patrols and a ground presence, involving six units from the Hungarian armed forces," he emphasized during a press conference.
Szalay-Bobrovniczky also noted that Hungary is "constantly informing NATO about the situation through appropriate channels," highlighting the importance of international cooperation on security matters.
On April 6, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán visited the Serbian-Hungarian border to personally inspect the Turkish Stream pipeline. This visit came in the wake of the discovery of explosive devices near the gas infrastructure connecting Hungary and Serbia.
It is worth noting that on April 5, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced that explosive devices had been found in the municipality of Kanizsa, close to the gas infrastructure. According to him, two large packages of explosives equipped with detonators were discovered. Vučić also informed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán about this incident.
In response to this situation, Orbán convened an extraordinary defense council meeting to discuss further actions. Following this, Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó hinted at a possible Ukrainian involvement in the incident, stating: "This attempt at a terrorist attack fits perfectly into a series of actions in which Ukrainians are constantly trying to disrupt the supply of Russian gas and oil to Europe."
On the same day, a representative of the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Georgiy Tikhiy, denied any accusations against Kyiv, assuring that Ukraine had no connection to the discovered explosives. He also suggested the possible involvement of Russia in this incident, considering that it could have been a Russian operation under false flags, conducted as part of Moscow's interference in Hungary's elections.
On April 6, Serbian officials also stated that Ukraine was not involved in the planting of explosives near the Turkish Stream pipeline, emphasizing the importance of investigating and identifying the true culprits behind this incident.
This situation has raised concerns not only in Hungary and Serbia but across Europe, where energy security remains a pressing issue amid ongoing threats and geopolitical tensions.