Serbian President Vučić announced the discovery of an explosive device near a gas pipeline supplying Russian gas to Hungary, prompting Orbán to convene an emergency defense council.
Serbian Discovery and Alert to Orbán
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced Sunday the discovery of an explosive device “with a larger destructive force” during an investigation into threats to gas infrastructure. The explosives were found in northern Serbia near the Balkan Stream pipeline, which transports Russian gas to Hungary.
Vučić stated the device “could have endangered a large number of people and caused serious disruptions in gas supplies.” He immediately informed Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán of the findings.
Orbán’s Response and Emergency Meeting
Viktor Orbán announced on X (formerly Twitter) that he had convened an extraordinary meeting of Hungary’s Defense Council following his conversation with Vučić. He noted that the investigation is ongoing.
Opposition Claims False Flag Operation
Serbia reported the discovery of the explosive device a week before parliamentary elections in Hungary. The opposition TISZA party currently leads Fidesz in most independent polls, with recent surveys showing support at 58% and 56% respectively, compared to Fidesz’s 35% and 37%.
TISZA leader Péter Magyar alleged a “false flag” operation, claiming weeks of intelligence suggested Orbán, with the help of Serbia and Russia, intended to intervene in the elections due to declining support for Fidesz. He suggested an incident on the Serbian gas pipeline was anticipated before the election.
Calls for Transparency and Election Security
Magyar called on the Prime Minister for immediate updates and inclusion in the Defense Council meeting, asserting that the TISZA government would resolve the situation regardless of who orchestrated the provocation.
He emphasized that the elections would proceed as scheduled and that a TISZA government would conduct a comprehensive public investigation to identify those responsible for the “anti-state crimes.”
Concerns of a State of Emergency
Journalist Szabolcs Panyi recalled warnings from Russia expert András Rácz regarding a potential, Russia-backed false flag attack in Serbia targeting the gas pipeline to Hungary. Panyi noted that this information had been circulating among journalists, including himself, for weeks via sources linked to the Hungarian government.
Analysts suggest Orbán might declare a state of emergency, potentially disrupting the election campaign and the April 12th elections. Dániel Bartha, head of the Center for Euro-Atlantic Integration and Democracy, believes a large-scale false flag operation is underway with Vučić’s active participation to influence the Hungarian elections.
International Reactions and Allegations of Russian Involvement
Michał Szczerba, a Polish MEP, commented that the situation suggests the start of Russian KGB operations to prevent a change in power in Hungary, warning of potential violence and even fatalities. He expressed concern about a scenario to postpone democratic elections.
Pipeline Context and Prior Security Measures
The pipeline is part of the Balkan Stream system, transporting Russian gas through Turkey, Bulgaria, and Serbia to Hungary. In February, Orbán ordered increased security for energy infrastructure following accusations that Ukraine was attempting to disrupt gas supplies to Hungary.