Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has deployed the Hungarian military to secure a major natural gas pipeline on the Serbian border following reports of a thwarted sabotage attempt, an incident the opposition has decried as a “false-flag” operation ahead of Sunday’s elections.

Orbán visited the southern border on Monday, a day after Serbian authorities claimed to have discovered “explosives of devastating power” near the infrastructure, which serves as a critical artery for Russian natural gas flowing into Hungary.

“This pipeline is our lifeline,” Orbán said in a social media address. “The Hungarian defense forces are capable of placing this pipeline under military protection and, if necessary, defending it.”

The security escalation comes as Orbán faces a stiff challenge from opposition leader Péter Magyar, with polls showing Orbán’s Fidesz party trailing. This led critics to suggest the incident was orchestrated to instill fear in the electorate. 

Magyar dismissed the Prime Minister’s actions, terming them “cheap theatre of a fearful regime.”

Tensions are high as government officials initially insinuated Ukrainian involvement. Kyiv rejected the charge, calling it a “Russian false-flag operation” intended to interfere in the election.  

Conversely, Đuro Jovanić, director of Serbia’s Military Security Agency, stated that while the explosives bore American markings, suggestions of Ukrainian responsibility were “not true.”

However, this is not the first time the Hungarian P.M has accused Ukraine of sabotage. In late February, P.M Orbán accused Ukraine of creating an oil blockage following the delayed repair of the Ukrainian section of Druzhba pipeline after Russian strikes. 

The Kremlin bolstered Orbán’s narrative Monday, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov claiming it was “highly likely” Ukraine was involved, though he provided no evidence.

The geopolitical drama coincides with the arrival of U.S. Vice President JD Vance for a two-day visit, underscoring the close ties between the Trump administration and Orbán, whom many U.S. conservatives view as a model for "illiberal democracy."

Analysts suggest the election results will have significant symbolic consequences for the global far-right. 

While Vance is scheduled to speak at a “Hungarian-American Friendship Day” rally, experts note the high stakes for the MAGA movement, which has viewed Orbán as a key ally in challenging European Union policies and support for Ukraine.