The Digester

Hungary to expel seven Ukrainian bank workers after $80m in cash and gold seized

Mar 6th 2026

Seven Ukrainian bank workers were arrested in Hungary while moving $80m and 9kg of gold; Budapest says it is a money laundering case, while Kyiv calls the detentions unjustified and accuses Hungary of hostage taking amid broader tensions over oil transit and EU aid.

  • Hungary detained seven Ukrainian bank workers transporting $80m and 9kg of gold and opened a money laundering probe.
  • Ukraine's Oschadbank says the workers were part of a routine Austria to Ukraine cash transport and were unjustifiably detained.
  • Hungary's tax authority says the transport was overseen by a former Ukrainian intelligence general and criminal proceedings are under way.
  • The location and status of the seized cash and gold remain unclear and Poland's foreign minister said the funds were stolen.
  • The arrests deepen a diplomatic row between Budapest and Kyiv over the Druzhba oil pipeline and Hungary's blocking of EU aid to Ukraine.
  • The detentions occurred during Hungary's election campaign and have prompted sharp exchanges between the two countries' foreign ministers.

Sources

bbc.com