Transcarpathian Hungarians at risk: Russian strikes threaten secret Ukrainian facility just 12 km from Hungarian border
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According to the Russian newspaper Moskovsky Komsomolets, Germany’s Rheinmetall defence company may have set up a covert facility in Chornotysiv, a village in Transcarpathia just 12 kilometres from Hungary’s border. If true, this location could become a prime target for Russian missile strikes, warned journalist Elena Gamayun, who believes EU proximity won’t deter Russia from potentially targeting the site.
The Rheinmetall CEO, Armin Papperger, had previously hinted at new defence production sites in Ukraine, including a factory manufacturing Lynx infantry vehicles by year’s end, with three more planned, Index reports. Russian analysts quoted by Moskovsky Komsomolets, however, were quick to dismiss Papperger’s claims as mere PR, questioning the factory’s legitimacy. One expert, Alexander Perendzhiev from the Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, argued that such statements might be a front for financial gains, suggesting that secret facilities are not typically publicised. He added, “They’ll say they produced something, then claim it was destroyed by Russian attacks when the money’s gone.”
In contrast, Lieutenant Colonel Roman Skurlatov expressed in another Russian outlet that a facility likely does exist but is designed for producing 155mm shells rather than armoured vehicles. Skurlatov speculated that Papperger’s announcements were more about PR than actual military capability, especially as there’s been no confirmed planning for additional sites.
I’m sure plenty of idiots in Hungary will believe anything that comes from Russian media as God’s own truth. Fidesz has conditioned Hungarian’s to believe Russian propaganda for years. This story is a great piece to create opposition among Hungarians against Ukraine’s efforts to defend itself. It’s time for Orban to tell the Russians to stop their war of aggression.
The reality, Larry, is that Hungary carries no sway either way. Its pro-Russian posturing is damaging but, ultimately, accomplishes nothing other than harming the country’s reputation abroad, creating a rift in society and erodes relations with allies eventually reaching a point from which they cannot recover. Orban could say anything he wants to Putin and it would have no impact. Russia is no friend to Hungary and never has been, the Hungarians are kidding themselves if they think they now enjoy ‘good relations’ with Russia that would spare them from future Russian aggression. If Russia advanced to subjugate to the whole of Ukraine, as they eventually surely would in the absence of western support for Ukraine and in the absence of NATO protection of Hungary (which is now becoming a real risk), I can guarantee they’d press on into Hungary, the temptation in Moscow would be irresistable. As Hungary would roll over quickly without the ferocity that Ukraine is exhibiting, a traditional war would probably not be necessary, Russia would ‘offer’ to establish military bases in order to provide protection from a ‘hostile’ NATO that was formerly protector but has become a supposed enemy of Hungary. Hungary’s value would be the same as it was for the Soviets; to act as a security buffer for Russia, a needle in the side of the west and a colonial possession generating cash for Moscow. The older generation might be happy, all of a sudden all those years learning Russian at school were no longer wasted.
The proximity to the Hungarian border is exactly the reason why Rheinmetall chose this site. Since they already have an existing factory in Hungary, this move can save significant transportation costs. However, it is a legitimate target for attacks by the Russians.