Americans uncover Hungarian nationals, firms helping Russia with military equipment

In October, “the U.S. Department of the Treasury sanctioned 275 individuals and entities involved in supplying Russia with advanced technology and equipment that it desperately needs to support its war machine.” One of them is the Hungarian Bence Horváth. Allegedly, he conspired with others to illegally export U.S.-origin radio communications technology to Russian government end-users without a license.

Hungarian nationals, companies helping Russia

We wrote HERE that Mr Horváth (46) was arrested in August at San Francisco International Airport entering the U.S.A. He is a resident of Spain and is believed to have begun negotiations in January 2023 with a small U.S. radio distribution company. Their objective was to purchase and export U.S.-made military-grade radios and related accessories to Russia.

In the months that followed, Horváth successfully acquired 200 military-grade radios, which he intended to ship to Russia via a Latvian transport service. However, the attempt was thwarted when U.S. Customs and Border Protection seized the shipment, preventing the radios from reaching Russian users.

Horváth is said to have personally arranged the purchase and smuggling of U.S.-origin radio communications technology to Russian government end-users, utilising a network of subsidiaries in Spain, Serbia, Hungary, and Latvia.

Putin and Orbán in July in Moscow. Photo: FB/Orbán

According to a new sanctions list of the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Horváth allegedly helped in procurement activities involving Russia-based ZAO Budaphone Ltd. (Budaphone). Budaphone is a Russian Ministry of Defense contractor and shares an address with Russia-based Promsvyazradio. The latter company manufactures printed circuits and radio transmitting equipment. The firm also imported high-priority and dual-use technology into Russia. Moreover, a Serbian company, Ventrade DOO, has also exported military-grade radios to Promsvyazradio.

“Budaphone and Promsvyazradio are being designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for operating or having operated in the technology sector of the Russian Federation economy. Ventrade DOO is being designated pursuant to E.O. 14024 for having materially assisted, sponsored, or provided financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, Promsvyazradio”, the U.S. Department of the Treasury wrote.

Military radio in use. Illustration. Photo: depositphotos.com

Serbian, and Russian companies in the business, all in Hungarian ownership

According to 444.hu, the radios smuggled to Russia despite the sanctions were used by the Russian police, military, and the National Guard of Russia. The key figure of the issue is not Bence Horváth, 444.hu wrote, but his mother, Margarita Horváth. Mrs Horváth was the head of the HEPA office in Moscow. The office opened in 2019, and HEPA stands for “Hungarian Export Promotion Agency”.

However, 444.hu wrote there was no news of whether the Hungarian state did anything about the issue. The news portal reported that Mrs Horváth had not been arrested. It also wrote that she is the owner of the Russia-based Promsvyazradio. Furthermore, the Serbia-based Ventrade DOO is also in Hungarian ownership.

USA committed to stopping Russia’s war machine

The new list of the USA sanctioned 275 individuals and entities involved in supplying Russia with advanced technology and equipment. The countries involved include India, the People’s Republic of China (PRC), Switzerland, Thailand, Türkiye, and Hungary.

“The United States and our allies will continue to take decisive action across the globe to stop the flow of critical tools and technologies that Russia needs to wage its illegal and immoral war against Ukraine,” said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo.

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Featured image: Anadolu news agency