Hungary Begins Withdrawing Troops Guarding Energy Infrastructure

Hungary has begun withdrawing troops deployed to guard energy infrastructure following a reassessment of security risks after a change in government. Make us preferred on Google Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Hungarian opposition leader, head of the TISZA party and candidate for Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar holds a state-of-the-nation speech on February 15, 2026 in Budapest, Hungary. (Photo by Ferenc ISZA / AFP) Content Share Facebook X (Twitter) LinkedIn Bluesky Email Copy Copied Flip Make us preferred on Google Hungary has begun withdrawing military personnel who were deployed to guard energy infrastructure facilities, HVG reported on Wednesday. According to the Hungarian Armed Forces, around 600 soldiers had been stationed to protect critical infrastructure, including oil and gas facilities. Follow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official . The decision to withdraw troops was made after authorities concluded that infrastructure operators had strengthened independent security measures, reducing the need for continued military deployment. The order was issued by Chief of the General Staff Gábor Böröndi, who said the armed forces had begun “rationalizing” the number of troops involved in infrastructure protection. The troops were initially deployed in February after Hungary’s previous government claimed Ukraine could pose a threat to the country’s energy infrastructure amid disputes over oil transit, reported HVG . At the time, Hungarian officials cited concerns over the Druzhba oil pipeline and alleged risks to pump stations and other facilities. Index stated that Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó had suggested a “Ukrainian trace” in what he described as a sabotage attempt to connect Serbia to the gas pipeline supplying Hungary. Serbian Military Security Agency head Djuro Jovanic later said investigators found no evidence linking Ukraine to the incident, as reported by Kurir . The spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Heorhii Tykhyi, rejected the accusations. Other Topics of Interest Ukrainian Forces Regain Nearly 50 Square Kilometers in March Ukraine’s army reported new territorial gains in March amid heavy fighting across eastern and southern fronts. “Ukraine has nothing to do with this. Most probably, a Russian false-flag operation as part of Moscow’s heavy interference in Hungarian elections ,” he said on X . The troop withdrawal followed Hungary’s recent change in government, which ended the 16‑year rule of former Prime Minister Viktor Orbán . Hungary’s new prime minister, Péter Magyar, has positioned his government as pro‑EU and has signaled support for Ukraine in response to Russia’s invasion . Veronika Sukhanych is a political analyst with a foundation in governance, legal research, and international policy. Kyiv-born and educated in comparative politics, her background includes research on global financial institutions, responsible AI governance, and security policy.