Hungary expelled 10 Russian diplomats on Tuesday, citing activities incompatible with their status under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. Foreign Minister Anita Orbán, who is not related to the former prime minister, announced the decision and said it protects Hungary's security and sovereignty.

The move comes months after the April election defeat of long-serving Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, whose government maintained close ties with Moscow even after Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine. The new administration under Prime Minister Péter Magyar has shifted toward stronger alignment with the European Union and NATO while still seeking pragmatic relations with Russia.

Orbán stated that the expulsions do not signal a break in diplomatic relations and that Hungary intends to continue necessary dialogue based on mutual respect and adherence to the rules. The Russian ambassador was informed of the decision on Tuesday.

Russia responded swiftly, with Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova saying the response to the "Russophobic lobby in Budapest" would be "harsh and painful," according to Russian state media. No specific retaliatory measures were detailed.

The action marks a significant departure from Hungary's previous stance, as the country had not publicly expelled any Russian diplomats since 2018 despite widespread European expulsions following the Ukraine invasion. Reports prior to the election had alleged that a substantial portion of the Russian embassy staff in Budapest had intelligence ties.

The diplomats were not identified by name, and Hungarian authorities provided no further details on the specific violations.