Russian propaganda spreads fake claim about Ukrainian ambassador and ‘insult’ to Hungarian flag

Russian propaganda media and Telegram channels are circulating a photo showing Ukraine’s ambassador to Hungary, Fedir Shandor, together with the commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces, Robert Brovdi, holding a Hungarian flag with a hole cut out in the center. The claim is that the Ukrainian diplomat allegedly insulted Hungary’s national symbol. According to the Center for Strategic Communications SPRAVDI, at least 250 Russian resources spread the image along with manipulative messaging on March 17.

This claim is false. The photo shows Shandor and Brovdi holding a flag that symbolizes Hungarian resistance to Soviet occupation in 1956. At that time, protesters cut out the imposed coat of arms of the socialist Hungarian People’s Republic, which featured a red star. This version of the flag can be seen in historical photographs, museum collections, and at commemorative events, particularly during the October 23 observance marking the 1956 uprising.

One such flag was preserved in Poland for 40 years before being transferred to the Hungarian Parliament Museum as a symbol of Hungarian-Polish friendship.

The photo of Shandor and Brovdi was originally published in February 2024. At the time, Brovdi was commander of the “Birds of Magyar” unit, while Shandor served as a soldier in the 101st Zakarpattia Territorial Defense Brigade. Both are Ukrainians of Hungarian descent.

The information attack against the ambassador began after Shandor reposted the image on his X account on March 15.

Notably, the “outrage” over the photo was not expressed by representatives of Hungarian civil society, but rather by Ukrainian collaborators currently in Russia. Among them are former Prime Minister Mykola Azarov and Odesa-born Yuliia Vitizieva, who appears on broadcasts within the media circle of Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov. Some Russian outlets cite their posts.

This fake is part of a targeted information campaign against Ukraine’s ambassador to Hungary. Russian propagandists are once again manipulating facts to stir anti-Ukrainian sentiment in Hungary ahead of parliamentary elections in April.

Earlier, Shandor had stressed that Russia seeks to drive a wedge between Hungary and Ukraine and to inflame tensions, with Moscow, its embassy, and media outlets actively spreading anti-Ukrainian disinformation.

As reported by Ukrinform, Russian propaganda previously circulated a series of fake claims aimed at discrediting skeleton athlete Vladyslav Heraskevych over his stance regarding the 2026 Olympics.