Hungary Summons Russian Ambassador Over Drone Attack, Signals Major Policy Shift

Hungary’s new prime minister, Péter Magyar, summoned the Russian ambassador on Thursday after a massive drone strike near the country’s border, marking a sharp break from his predecessor’s close ties with Moscow. “The Hungarian government strongly condemns the Russian attack on Transcarpathia,” Magyar told reporters. He said the foreign minister would ask the ambassador “when Russia and Vladimir Putin plan to finally end this bloody war.” The move is a dramatic change from the previous government, which was voted out of office this month. Under the old leadership, Hungary blocked aid for Ukraine and slowed its efforts to join the European Union. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy replied on X: “Thank you for your compassion and strong position!” The diplomatic confrontation came after Russia launched at least 800 drones across about 20 regions of Ukraine on Wednesday. The daytime barrage targeted critical infrastructure near Kyiv. Poland scrambled fighter jets as a precaution, the Polish army said. Early Thursday, Russia launched another heavy attack: 675 drones and 56 missiles. Ukraine’s air force said it shot down 652 drones and 41 missiles, but 38 strikes hit 24 locations across the country. In Russia, the governors of two regions bordering Ukraine — Belgorod and Bryansk — resigned on Wednesday. The Kremlin said they stepped down voluntarily. New governors were appointed: Alexander Shuvaev, a decorated veteran, for Belgorod; and Yegor Kovalchuk, a specialist in banking and law, for Bryansk. The governor of the Kursk region, who was dismissed in 2024 after a Ukrainian incursion and later jailed on corruption charges, remains out of office. In the United States, supporters of a bill to aid Ukraine and sanction Russia reached a key milestone. They now have 218 signatures on a petition to force a House vote, bypassing Republican leaders. The bill would provide over $1 billion in security aid and make $8 billion available in loans. While unlikely to become law, the vote will put lawmakers on record on Ukraine support. Moscow authorities restricted the publication of photos and videos showing the aftermath of “terrorist attacks,” including drone strikes. The directive, aimed at preventing the spread of “unreliable information,” bans media and individuals from sharing such images until official sources release them. Separately, leaders of 14 NATO allies met in Bucharest and called for stronger air defenses after repeated Russian airspace violations in Romania, Poland, and the Baltic states. They urged better cooperation on defense industry capacity. Russia denies targeting NATO countries.