The Hungarian community in Transcarpathia is facing tough times as tensions rise between Ukraine and Hungary. Once numbering 150,000 in the 2001 census, their population has now dropped to an estimated 70,000 to 80,000. Many have lost their lives fighting for Ukraine in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Adding to the situation, Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi, a former chief-of-staff in Hungary, has recently been targeted by government-controlled media. The government claims he had contact with Ukrainian intelligence, which Ruszin-Szendi strongly denies, calling it a smear campaign. He expressed his disappointment on Facebook, emphasizing his loyalty to Hungary and the sacrifices he made for the country.
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has positioned himself as a peace advocate, promising to keep Hungary out of the war during his election campaign in April 2022. However, a leaked speech from 2023 reveals a different narrative. Defence Minister Kristof Szalay-Bobrovniczky was recorded discussing a shift in Hungary’s military stance, moving away from peace and preparing for potential conflict.
This change comes as many experienced military leaders, like Ruszin-Szendi, were dismissed in favor of officers who align more closely with the government’s pro-Moscow views. As the Hungarian community in Transcarpathia continues to struggle, the political landscape in Hungary raises questions about the future of both the community and the country’s military direction.