Oschadbank cash collectors illegally detained by Hungarian law enforcement agencies

According to official data received by Oschad, seven of its employees who accompanied the collection vehicles are being illegally detained by one of the law enforcement agencies in Hungary. Consular representatives have not yet been allowed to join the detainees.

The bank sees no possible legal grounds for the detention of the cash collection vehicles and accompanying personnel, who were on a routine trip. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, foreign currency and bank metals have been transported exclusively by land. Such trips are carried out by Oschadbank's cash collection vehicles on a weekly basis. Oschadbank has the appropriate license for international transportation issued by the State Service of Ukraine for Transport Safety.

All employees of the cash collection service who were illegally detained in Hungary have extensive experience working at Oschadbank: from 3-4 years to 17-21 years.

The valuables that were in the stolen cars belong to the state-owned Oschadbank. These are funds entrusted to the bank by Ukrainian citizens and businesses. They were being transported from Austria for further use in circulation and to supply the Ukrainian cash market. The total amount of Oschadbank's funds, the fate of which is currently unknown, is US$40 million, €35 million, and 9 kg of gold.

Oschadbank demands the immediate release of its employees and the return of the detained vehicles and valuables belonging to the state bank.

We would like to remind you that yesterday, March 5, 2026, two vehicles belonging to Oschadbank's cash collection service were illegally detained in Hungary while carrying out a regular transport of foreign currency and bank metals.

According to GPS signal data, the bank's vehicles were located in the center of Budapest near one of Hungary's law enforcement agencies. Their location was confirmed by representatives of the Embassy of Ukraine in Hungary and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.

The transportation of funds and valuables was carried out under an international agreement between Oschadbank and Raiffeisen Bank Austria. The cargo was cleared in accordance with international transportation rules and applicable European customs procedures.