Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has deployed military forces to guard critical energy infrastructure across Hungary and banned drone flights in the country's border region, claiming fears of Ukrainian interference. The move comes just weeks before Hungary's parliamentary elections, with opposition figures and security experts dismissing the threat as fabricated campaign rhetoric.Following a Defense Council meeting on Wednesday, Orbán announced that Hungarian military personnel would be stationed around key energy facilities with equipment necessary for repelling attacks, though he did not specify what that equipment would entail. Police will conduct increased patrols at power plants, distribution stations, and control centers, while a drone flight ban will take effect in Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg County, which borders Ukraine.I see Ukraine preparing additional steps to disrupt the Hungarian energy system, Orbán stated. I have therefore issued an order to strengthen the protection of critical energy infrastructure. The Prime Minister cited concerns about a Ukrainian blockade following the suspension of crude oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline since January 27. However, Orbán omitted that Russia's bombing near Brody, Ukraine damaged the pipeline, not Ukrainian sabotage.Security experts have issued sharp rebuttals of the government's threat assessment. András Rácz, a Russia specialist and security policy expert, contends there is no genuine Ukrainian attack threat. Hungary has never been more militarily secure than now as a NATO member, Rácz stated, noting that the government's failure to invoke NATO Article 4 consultation—the standard protocol for member states facing security threats—demonstrates the claims are politically motivated.Rácz argues that if a credible threat existed, standard NATO protocol would mandate consultation with allies before unilateral defensive measures. The absence of such consultation, he contends, reveals the deployment as campaign theater rather than genuine security policy.The timing has drawn scrutiny from opposition politicians. Géza Jeszenszky, former foreign minister, told 24.hu that he fears the government is preparing a false flag operation to justify emergency measures or disrupt the electoral process. Opposition leader Magyar Péter warned supporters at a rally to be vigilant against potential manufactured incidents.In Hungary, as across the region, national sovereignty and European integration exist in constant tension. The government's position enjoys domestic support among voters who prioritize Hungarian interests, but security experts note that Orbán has repeatedly deployed security rhetoric during election campaigns. Hungary has blocked EU sanctions against Russia and a €90 billion loan for Ukraine, linking these decisions to demands for pipeline restoration—demands that critics say ignore the fact that Russian military operations caused the disruption.Hungary is currently sourcing replacement oil through seaborne supplies via the Adria pipeline, and the state oil company Mol has requested release of strategic reserves. The European Commission stated the pipeline suspension is not politically motivated, citing ongoing repairs amid Russian military operations in the region.