Divine guidance claimed for African deployment
A Hungarian army captain has disclosed that the prime minister’s son, Gáspár Orbán, planned a military mission to Chad based on what he described as divine instruction. Captain Szilveszter Pálinkás, who trained with the younger Orbán at Britain’s Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, stated in a televised interview that Orbán claimed God spoke to him from heaven, directing him to save African Christians. This revelation comes amidst Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s frequent assertions that Brussels seeks to drag Hungary into war against Russia, with the captain’s account challenging the government’s narrative about military priorities.
Captain’s shocking revelation
Captain Pálinkás told Telex.hu that Gáspár Orbán extensively discussed his Christian service in Africa during their time together in England. The prime minister’s son explained he had found God during this period and believed he received celestial instructions to organise a rescue mission. Pálinkás emphasised that as a junior lieutenant, Orbán would have been unable to strategise such an operation at that level without his familial connection to the country’s leadership. The interview has garnered approximately 1.5 million views, creating significant controversy within Hungarian media and social networks.
Expected casualty rate raised alarms
According to the captain’s testimony, Gáspár Orbán shared detailed planning calculations for the Chad mission, anticipating a fifty percent loss of combat capability. This projection meant half of participating Hungarian soldiers would perish during the operation he intended to lead. Pálinkás stated he attempted to persuade Orbán using rational arguments and professional military assessments, warning against risking soldiers’ lives when such high casualties were expected. He described the mission as lacking clear national interests and noted that stronger nations had already withdrawn their forces from the region.
Political timing and future risks
The Chad mission was ultimately postponed due to electoral considerations, with the Orbán family unwilling to take such substantial political risk before elections. Captain Pálinkás expressed concern that the plans might be revived during a subsequent governing term if the current administration remains in power. He questioned what Gáspár Orbán might say during Sunday family dinners or who he might consider obstacles to his personal plans. The professional disagreement over Chad eventually overshadowed their formerly friendly relationship, leading Pálinkás to distance himself from the prime minister’s son.
Military resignation and official silence
Captain Pálinkás has since demobilised from the Hungarian military, having failed to convince Gáspár Orbán to abandon the African deployment plans. When journalists sought comments from both the defence ministry and Gáspár Orbán himself, no responses were received. The revelations emerge just days before Hungary’s parliamentary elections scheduled for 12 April, with media and opposition figures alleging Russian political technologists from GRU are assisting Viktor Orbán’s campaign alongside support from Donald Trump’s team.
