‘We know where he lives, where he sleeps’: Ex-Ukrainian general threatens Orban

Vladimir Zelensky recently threatened his military could speak with the Hungarian PM in “its own language”

A former Ukrainian Secret Service (SBU) general and MP has issued an open public threat against the family of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, days after Vladimir Zelensky suggested his military could be despatched to speak with him “in its own language.”

Speaking to  Pryamy TV, Ukrainian politician and retired SBU general Grigory Omelchenko cited the US-Israeli assassination of late Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and his family, and warned that Orban must change his “anti-Ukrainian” position if he cares about his five children and six grandchildren.

The SBU – the successor to the Soviet KGB – knows “where he [Orban] lives, where he sleeps, where he drinks beer and wine, smokes shisha, strolls and meets people,” Omelchenko claimed, adding "he needs to think of his grandchildren."

Zelensky's supporters are furious with Orban over his opposition to what they see as Ukraine's right to join the EU, ongoing unchecked financial support to Kiev and the detention by Hungarian security forces of a convoy that was carrying up to $100 million worth of cash and gold, allegedly destined for a Ukrainian state bank.

READ MORE: Hungary and Ukraine clash over ‘war mafia’ cash convoy: What we know so far

Orban responded to the threats on Thursday, assuring his family of their safety, in a video released by Budapest. 

Orban said receiving death threats is “unusual” for his family but has brought them closer together. He also warned that “everything has its limit.”

The Orban government has long opposed the EU’s policy of arming and funding Ukraine against Russia, as well as Ukraine’s bid to join the bloc. Tensions escalated in January when Ukraine suspended Russian oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia via a Soviet-built pipeline, claiming it was damaged by a Russian attack – which Moscow has denied.

Orban has accused Zelensky of trying to cause an energy crisis in Hungary ahead of key parliamentary elections in April. Orban’s main competitor, Peter Magyar, denounced Zelensky for issuing threats against the prime minister, saying the EU should sever ties with Kiev until the Ukrainian leader apologizes to the Hungarian people.