Ukraine urges Hungary to return money and gold seized from cash-in-transit vehicles

Mar 8, 2026 - 16:06

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called on Hungary to return money and gold bars seized from cash-in-transit vehicles belonging to Ukraine's state-run Oschadbank.

Source: Sybiha on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Sybiha pointed out that 8 March marks three days since Hungary stopped several Oschadbank cash-in-transit vehicles that were carrying currency and valuables from Austria to Ukraine and "stole money and precious metals in broad daylight".

Quote: "This money does not belong to Hungary or its government; it is owned by Ukraine's state bank, Oschadbank, and thus by Ukrainian taxpayers. We demand their immediate return and urge Europe-wide condemnation of this unprecedented act of state banditry and racketeering. I encourage all of our European partners to speak out."

Background:

On the evening of 7 March, Oschadbank published a statement demanding that Hungary return the cash-in-transit vehicles and the valuables that had been illegally seized. The assets include US$40 million, €35 million and 9 kg of bank gold.
The seven Ukrainian cash-in-transit workers returned to Ukraine on the evening of 6 March.
Hungarian fact-checkers have reported that Russian propagandists have launched a disinformation campaign about the Ukrainian cash-in-transit staff using AI-generated images.