Unknown individuals have spray-painted anti-Hungarian graffiti on the door and wall of a building in Mukachevo (Munkács). One message called for Hungarians to be slaughtered, while another declared that Hungarians are not human. Approximately 80,000 Hungarians currently live in Transcarpathia, although many—especially men—have fled in recent years. Ethnic tension had not previously been a major issue, despite the ongoing resettlement of refugees from Eastern Ukraine.

The end of ethnic harmony in Transcarpathia?

For those who imagine Transcarpathia as a predominantly Hungarian region in Ukraine’s westernmost corner, the reality may be disappointing. Even before the Treaty of Trianon (1920), Hungarians never constituted a majority in this area, which once belonged to the Kingdom of Hungary. Today, ethnic Hungarians make up just over 10% of the population and form a majority only in a narrow strip along the border.

This makes maintaining ethnic harmony all the more critical, as Hungarians remain a small minority even within the region. Meanwhile, the influx of refugees from Eastern Ukraine and the mass emigration of tens of thousands of Hungarians in recent years continue to reshape the demographic landscape.

Harsh criticism from Hungary amid Ukraine’s fight for survival

As Ukraine battles for its very survival against Russia’s invasion, the Hungarian government has repeatedly criticised President Zelensky, accusing him of deliberately prolonging the war and refusing to make peace with Russia. Hungarian officials claim Kyiv aims to drag the EU and NATO into the conflict. So far, this diplomatic feud has not significantly impacted Transcarpathia—but recent incidents suggest that may be changing, or at least that some actors are attempting to change it.

A recent attempt to set fire to the sacristy door of the Greek Catholic Church in Palágykomoróc was accompanied by graffiti calling for the extermination of Hungarians. Hungary’s government condemned the act, blaming Ukrainian extremists, and Prime Minister Viktor Orbán denounced it in a strongly worded social media post. However, geopolitical expert András Rácz speculated that Budapest may have known about the attack in advance and suggested it could have been a false flag operation.