Kidnapping of cash collectors and $75 million in Hungary: Oschadbank reveals details
6 March 01:34
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reported an incident in Budapest, where Hungarian law enforcement officers detained seven Ukrainian citizens—employees of the Oschadbank cash collection service. The Ukrainian side sent an official note to Budapest demanding an immediate explanation of the situation and the release of the Ukrainian citizens. This was reported by the head of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Andriy Sybiga, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
What happened in Budapest
According to the bank’s press service, two cash collection service vehicles accompanying seven cash collection team employees were detained in Hungary during a regular transport of foreign currency and bank metals between Raiffeisen Bank in Austria and Oschadbank in Ukraine.
According to GPS signals, the cash collection vehicles are currently in the center of Budapest near one of Hungary’s law enforcement agencies. Representatives of the Ukrainian embassy have confirmed the location of the vehicles.
According to Sibiga, the detained Ukrainians are employees of the state-owned Oschadbank, who were transporting funds between the Austrian bank and Ukraine.
The cash collection was carried out by two armored vehicles carrying seven employees of the cash collection service.
Where are the cash collection vehicles now?
According to the bank, GPS signals show that the cash collection vehicles are in the center of Budapest, near one of Hungary’s law enforcement agencies.
This information has been confirmed by representatives of the Ukrainian Embassy in Hungary.
At the same time, the whereabouts of the bank employees themselves are currently unknown.
What funds were the cash collectors transporting?
According to Oschadbank, the following items were being transported:
- $40 million
- 35 million euros
- approximately 9 kg of bank gold.
The total value of the transported valuables is estimated at approximately $75 million in currency equivalent.
The bank emphasizes that the transportation was carried out within the framework of an international agreement with the Austrian bank Raiffeisen Bank International.
The cargo was cleared in accordance with European customs procedures and international rules for the transportation of bank valuables.
Reaction of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry
Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga sharply criticized the actions of the Hungarian authorities.
According to him, Ukraine considers the situation to be an illegal detention of Ukrainian citizens.
“In fact, Hungary is taking hostages and appropriating money. It looks like state racketeering,” Sibiga said.
Ukraine has already:
- sent an official diplomatic note to Budapest;
- plans to appeal to European Union institutions.
Political context
The incident occurred against the backdrop of another escalation in relations between Ukraine and Hungary.
The day before, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán said he was ready to demand that Ukraine resume the transit of Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline.
Budapest accused Kyiv of failing to comply with agreements on energy transit.
At present, the Hungarian authorities have not yet made public their official position on the detention of Ukrainian collectors.
