Headlines
Ukraine says Ukrainian bank employees detained with cash shipment in hungary
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 5, 2026
1 min readLast updated: March 5, 2026
Quick Summary
Ukraine’s Oschadbank says seven of its employees and two cash‑in‑transit vehicles carrying $40 million, €35 million and 9 kg gold were detained without justification by Hungarian authorities on March 5.
Ukraine Accuses Hungary of Detaining Bank Employees Carrying Cash from Austria
Details of the Incident and Political Context
Accusations by Ukrainian Foreign Minister
March 6 (Reuters) - Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha accused Hungary early on Friday of detaining seven employees of Ukraine's state savings bank while they were transporting cash from Austria back to Ukraine.
Statements on Social Media
Sybiha's Comments on X Platform
Andrii Sybiha was writing on the X social media platform after Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Budapest would force Ukraine with "political and financial tools" to reopen the Druzhba pipeline carrying Russian oil to Hungarian refineries.
Details of Detention
Sybiha said the employees were travelling in two cars through Hungary when they were detained. He said their whereabouts were unknown at the moment.
Allegations of Hostage-Taking and Theft
"In fact, we are talking about Hungary taking hostages and stealing money," Sybiha wrote. "If this is the 'force' announced earlier today by Mr Orban, then this is a force of a criminal gang. This is state terrorism and racketeering."
(Reporting by Ron Popeski; Editing by Lincoln Feast.)
Key Takeaways
- •The detained were Oschadbank employees transporting funds from Austria to Ukraine under a valid international agreement—Hungarian police blocked the convoy, with vehicles located in central Budapest; the fate of the crew remains unknown.
- •This incident follows heightened energy tensions: Hungary’s PM Viktor Orbán threatened to use “political and financial tools” to force Ukraine to reopen the Druzhba oil pipeline, which has been shut since January 27 due to Russian drone attacks—Hungary has since blocked a €90 billion EU loan to Ukraine.
- •Hungary has also suspended diesel deliveries to Ukraine pending Druzhba’s reopening. Oschadbank and Ukrainian authorities decry the detention as state racketeering or terrorism, coordinating diplomatic efforts for the employees’ safe return.
Frequently Asked Questions about Ukraine says Ukrainian bank employees detained with cash shipment in Hungary
1Who were detained by Hungarian authorities?
Seven employees of Ukraine's state savings bank were detained by Hungarian authorities while transporting cash from Austria to Ukraine.
2What accusation did Ukraine's foreign minister make against Hungary?
Ukraine's foreign minister accused Hungary of taking Ukrainian bank employees as hostages and referred to the incident as state terrorism and racketeering.
3Why were the Ukrainian bank employees traveling through Hungary?
The employees were transporting cash from Austria back to Ukraine.
4What did Hungary's Prime Minister say regarding Ukraine?
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Hungary would use political and financial tools to force Ukraine to reopen the Druzhba pipeline supplying Russian oil.
5What is currently known about the detained Ukrainian bank employees?
The current whereabouts of the detained Ukrainian bank employees are unknown.
