Hungary reports new fatal case linked to alleged forced conscription in Ukraine

Hungary’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Péter Szijjártó, has claimed that another Hungarian citizen has died as a result of what he described as forced military conscription in Ukraine, once again fuelling tensions between Budapest and Kyiv.

Another Hungarian man died because of forced conscription in Ukraine?

According to Szijjártó, the incident took place in Ukraine’s Berehove district, where a Hungarian man was allegedly taken from the street by Ukrainian recruitment officers and forcibly transported to a training centre.

The minister stated that the man, who reportedly suffered from heart disease, became unwell shortly after arrival and later died. The claim was published in an official statement by Hungary’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, writes HVG.

The case of József Sebestyén sparked huge outrage

The case follows a similar controversy last year involving the death of József Sebestyén, a Hungarian man from Transcarpathia. In July 2025, the Hungarian government summoned Ukraine’s ambassador to Budapest, alleging that Ukrainian recruitment officers had beaten Sebestyén during a forced conscription attempt, with injuries later leading to his death.

Ukraine’s armed forces strongly rejected these accusations, denying any form of forced conscription, mistreatment, or human rights violations. Ukrainian authorities stated that Sebestyén died from a pulmonary embolism rather than physical abuse.

While several videos circulated online showing the man in poor physical condition — some of which were shared by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán — questions were later raised over the authenticity of certain images used to support the claims.

Ukrainian authorities deny that it was murder

In December, the Transcarpathian Regional Prosecutor’s Office informed Hungarian media that the Ukrainian investigation into Sebestyén’s death had been closed due to a lack of evidence of criminal wrongdoing. Officials said the man had received hospital treatment and that no medical negligence was identified.

Meanwhile, Hungarian authorities continue their own investigation. The Prosecutor General’s Office confirmed that Hungary’s National Bureau of Investigation is still in the evidence-gathering phase, with no suspects questioned so far.

Featured image: Michael Sorrow/Anadolu