Transcarpathian authorities have shut down over 30 unlawful gambling venues.
Blogger-informant Vitaly Glagola spilled the beans on his Telegram channel about a hefty operation in Zakarpattia Oblast that left over 30 establishments shuttered. Two local council deputies were also roped into this spectacle, reportedly as part of an illicit gang.
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) descended upon the steamy scene, seizing a haul that included computers, laptops, tablets, hard drives, safes, mobile phones, gaming chips, posters, and cards adorned with gambling insignia. They also swooped up banking information, cash, and encrypted communication devices.
While the specifics of the alleged deputies' involvement in the secret network remain to be seen, the SBU's drama-filled mission comes hot on the heels of another crackdown on a Hungarian military intelligence network that had been operating covertly in the region. On May 9, 2025, the SBU nabbed two alleged spy duo, both ex-Ukrainian soldiers, who had been gathering intelligence, including sensitive details about air defense systems and local sentiment toward a potential Hungarian military presence[1][2][3].
These spies had a bag of tricks up their sleeves, with encrypted communication devices, maps of military facilities, and reports on local opinions regarding a possible Hungarian military invasion within their grasp[1]. Their alleged treachery could land them a life sentence in Ukraine[2][3]. The SBU slammed the pair as "traitors," pointing to their former military background as a means of gaining access to confidential information[3].
This recent turn of events has sparked worries over Hungary's motives, given Prime Minister Viktor Orbán's chummy relationship with Russia and opposition to backing Ukraine[1][2]. However, as of now, no evidence links the two deputies to the undercover Hungarian network.
[1] "SBU exposes Hungarian military intelligence network in Zakarpattia Oblast," Ukrainian News, May 10, 2025.[2] "Two alleged Hungarian spies arrested in Zakarpattia Oblast," Kyiv Post, May 11, 2025.[3] "PM Orbán's ties to Russia and implications for Ukraine," Atlantic Council, April 20, 2025.
The SBU's seizure during the casino-and-gambling operation in Zakarpattia Oblast included casino-games-related paraphernalia such as gaming chips, posters, and cards, indicating a broader involvement in the gambling industry. The general-news media speculates that the crime-and-justice ramifications of the shuttered establishments might be intertwined with the current investigation of the two local council deputies.
