What teams has Ty Simpson visited so far? How Alabama QB fits with each suitor

Quarterbacks always steal the spotlight duringNFL draftseason.

USA TODAY Sports

Withtop-rated quarterback prospectFernando Mendoza's landing spot a seemingly forgone conclusion – No. 1 overall to the Las Vegas Raiders – attention has turned to one of the other top signal-callers in the 2026 NFL Draft class. Where willAlabama'sTy Simpsonend up?

Recent reporting from NFL insider Ian Rapoport may give a bit of insight to the answer.

On March 31,Rapoport reportedthat Simpson had top 30 visits scheduled with three teams in the weeks before the 2026 NFL Draft in addition to a private workout with a fourth team. All four teams have uncertain futures behind center.

Here are the teams Simpson has reportedly visited so far, as well as how he would fit with each team:

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1. Las Vegas Raiders – Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana 2. New York Jets – Arvell Reese, LB/DE, Ohio State <p style=3. Arizona Cardinals – David Bailey, OLB/DE, Texas Tech

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=4. Tennessee Titans – Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=5. New York Giants – Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=6. Cleveland Browns – Monroe Freeling, OT, Georgia

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=7. Washington Commanders – Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=8. New Orleans Saints – Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=9. Kansas City Chiefs – Rueben Bain Jr., DE, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=10. Cincinnati Bengals – Dillon Thieneman, S, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=11. Miami Dolphins – Francis Mauigoa, OT/G, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=12. Dallas Cowboys – Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=13. Los Angeles Rams (from Atlanta Falcons) – Makai Lemon, WR, USC

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 14. Baltimore Ravens – Olaivavega Ioane, G, Penn State <p style=15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami (Fla.)

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=16. Jets (from Indianapolis Colts) – Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=17. Detroit Lions – Spencer Fano, OT/G, Utah

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=18. Minnesota Vikings – Jermod McCoy, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=19. Carolina Panthers - Kenyon Sadiq, TE, Oregon

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 20. Dallas Cowboys – CJ Allen, LB, Georgia <p style=21. Pittsburgh Steelers – Kadyn Proctor, OT/G, Alabama

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=22. Los Angeles Chargers – T.J. Parker, DE/OLB, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=23. Philadelphia Eagles – Keldric Faulk, DE, Auburn

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=24. Cleveland Browns – Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=25. Chicago Bears – Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, S, Toledo

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=26. Buffalo Bills – Cashius Howell, OLB, Texas A&M

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 27. San Francisco 49ers – Caleb Lomu, OT, Utah 28. Houston Texans – Blake Miller, OT, Clemson <p style=29. Kansas City Chiefs (from Los Angeles Rams) – Colton Hood, CB, Tennessee

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=30. Miami Dolphins (from Denver Broncos) – Denzel Boston, WR, Washington

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> 31. New England Patriots – Zion Young, DE/OLB, Missouri <p style=32. Seattle Seahawks – Avieon Terrell, CB, Clemson

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

NFL mock draft: Top-10 surprises in latest first-round projection

New York Jets

Current rostered quarterbacks:Geno Smith, Brady Cook, Bailey Zappe

According to multiple reports, Simpson partook in a private workout with the Jets in late March.

This offseason, New York has already undergone an overhaul of its quarterback room. Gang Green traded 2025 starter Justin Fields to the Kansas City Chiefs, opted not to re-sign backup Tyrod Taylor in free agency and traded for Las Vegas Raiders starter Geno Smith.

Smith agreed to a contract restructure after the trade that will have him hit free agency after the 2026 season, so he is not a long-term answer for New York. Cook, the lone holdover from last year, struggled in his limited opportunities as a starter as an undrafted free agent rookie in 2025. Zappe signed a reserve/future contract after the 2025 season and adds a bit of extra depth.

With two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, the Jets have the capital to take a swing on Simpson as their potential quarterback of the future. Smith could be the bridge quarterback that gives way to the Alabama gunslinger once Simpson is prepared.

In addition to their two firsts this year, the Jets also have three first-round picks in 2027. A strong rookie campaign from Simpson could allow New York to shift its focus in 2027 to building up the roster around him.

AI MOCK DRAFT:Google Gemini predicts lowly Jets landing QB Ty Simpson

Arizona Cardinals

Currently rostered quarterbacks:Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew, Kedon Slovis

The Cardinals were one of the three teams to set a top 30 meeting with Simpson, according to Rapoport. And similar to the Jets, the Cardinals do not have a clear future at quarterback.

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Like New York, Arizona parted ways with its 2025 starter, Kyler Murray, this offseason. The Cardinals released Murray at the start of the new league year, and he signed with the Vikings shortly thereafter. They retained Brissett, who began the 2025 season as a backup quarterback, as their presumptive starter entering 2026. Minshew was a free agency signing to give Arizona a new backup behind Brissett, and Slovis, a Cardinals practice squad member in 2025, is additional depth.

None are long-term answers, with Brissett and Minshew due to hit free agency after this coming season. Simpson presents a possible answer to the Cardinals' franchise quarterback question after eating over $35 million to move on from Murray this offseason.

Arizona currently owns the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, which it likely won't use on Simpson. But the NFC West team also has the No. 34 overall pick at the top of the second round. The Cardinals are in a good position to either trade back up into the first round to draft Simpson or wait until early on Day 2 to select the Alabama signal-caller if he's still available.

Cleveland Browns

Currently rostered quarterbacks:Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel, Deshaun Watson

The Browns made two more attempts to get off of the quarterback carousel in 2025 by drafting both Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Those attempts came three years after a major swing (and, to this point, a miss) on trading for Deshaun Watson and signing him to a fully guaranteed five-year, $230 million deal. None of the three attempts at getting off of the carousel have done a convincing job so far.

Watson's Browns tenure has been marred by injuries and poor play when he is healthy. Gabriel struggled in his first shot at Cleveland's starting job last year, and a Week 11 injury paved the way for Sanders to get his shot. Then Sanders had an up-and-down rookie campaign that still leaves his future as the Browns' starter murky.

Could the Browns take yet another swing at a highly touted quarterback prospect in the draft? Their decision to host Simpson on one of their limited top 30 visits suggests there's at least some interest there.

Like the Jets, Cleveland has two first-round picks: one is in the top five, and the other is closer to the bottom of the opening round. That puts them in prime position to add at least one top prospect at a premium position (read: wide receiver or offensive tackle) at the top of the draft, with the flexibility and improved roster infrastructure to take a swing on Simpson later on.

BROWNS QUARTERBACKS:HC Todd Monken wants early clarity on starting QB

Miami Dolphins

Currently rostered quarterbacks:Malik Willis, Quinn Ewers, Cam Miller

The Dolphins' new general manager, Jon-Eric Sullivan, hit a massive reset button on the Dolphins' roster. Gone are quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and edge rusher Bradley Chubb. The new-look Dolphins will be built around a new core and foundation.

Malik Willis, the top free agent quarterback this offseason, appears to be the linchpin of this new foundation. The former Packers' backup quarterback sticks with Sullivan and new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley, who also moved to Miami from Green Bay, to begin the 2026 season and Dolphins' rebuild. Second-year passer Quinn Ewers is still around after a decent showing in three starts as a rookie, and Cam Miller is an extra depth piece that Miami brought over from the Raiders' practice squad late last year.

Of the four teams to have reportedly met with Simpson, Miami is the least clear fit on the surface. Willis just signed a three-year, $67.5 million contract to join the Dolphins with $45 million guaranteed. That's starter money with signs pointing to a longer future in Miami.

If the Dolphins are considering drafting Simpson, perhaps they're looking to hedge their bets on Willis. The former Packer struggled in the first two years of his career with the Tennessee Titans, and he has never had a full season of starts yet.

Miami has an extra first-round pick to work with after trading Waddle to Denver. Perhaps Sullivan likes what he sees in Simpson and gives himself future flexibility by making the Alabama gunslinger a first-round pick – and therefore eligible for a fifth-year option down the road.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Ty Simpson top 30 visits: Which teams has Alabama QB met with?

What teams has Ty Simpson visited so far? How Alabama QB fits with each suitor

Quarterbacks always steal the spotlight duringNFL draftseason. Withtop-rated quarterback prospectFernando Mendo...
Mookie Betts injury update: Dodgers place SS on IL with oblique strain

On the same day that storm clouds delayed theLos Angeles Dodgers' series finale against the Nationalsin Washington, D.C Sunday, April 5, the team has also gotten some clarity on the injury to star shortstopMookie Betts.

USA TODAY Sports

The Dodgers are placing Betts on the 10-day injured list with a right oblique strain, manager Dave Roberts announced pregame. In the corresponding roster move, the team has recalled infielder Hyeseong Kim from Triple-A Oklahoma City.

Betts drew a walk in his lone plate appearance in the top of the first inning of Saturday's 10-5 win over the Washington Nationals and scored from first on a two-run double from Freddie Freeman, but he exited the game with what was initially described as lower back tightness. Miguel Rojas replaced him at shortstop for the bottom of the first.

Betts underwent an MRI Saturday night, which revealed an oblique strain that the Dodgers believe likely happened on a check swing during his at-bat but that he didn't feel until he started running the bases.

<p style=(Salaries in present-day value calculated by MLB Labor Relations Department, impacted by deferrals and signing bonuses)

1. Juan Soto, Mets - $61,875,000

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=2. Cody Bellinger, Yankees - $42,500,000

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=3. Bo Bichette, Mets - $42 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=3. Zack Wheeler, Phillies – $42 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=5. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays - $40,214,286

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=6. Aaron Judge, Yankees – $40 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=7. Anthony Rendon, Angels - $38,571,429

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=8. Jacob deGrom, Rangers - $38 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=9. Mike Trout, Angels – $37,116,667

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=10. Gerrit Cole, Yankees – $36,000,000

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=11. Jose Altuve, Astros – $33 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=11. Kyle Tucker, Dodgers - $33 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=13. Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers - $32,500,000

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=14. Francisco Lindor, Mets - $32,477,277

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=15. Tarik Skubal, Tigers – $32 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=16. Carlos Correa, Astros – $31,500,000

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=16. Corey Seager, Rangers - $31,500,000

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=18. Sonny Gray, Red Sox – $31 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=19. Corbin Burnes, Diamondbacks – $30,790,069

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=20. Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees - $29 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=21. Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers – $28,536,643

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=22. Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers – $28,206,684

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=23. Dansby Swanson, Cubs – $28 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=24. Carlos Rodon, Yankees – $27,833,333

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=25. Stephen Strasburg, Nationals (*retired) – $27,814,045

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=26. Bryce Harper, Phillies - $27,538,462

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=27. Trea Turner, Phillies – $27,272,727

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=28. Blake Snell, Dodgers - $27,152,056

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=29. Kris Bryant, Rockies - $27 million

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> <p style=30. Yordan Alvarez, Astros - $26,833,333

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

See the top 30 highest paid players in MLB baseball

(Salaries in present-day value calculated by MLB Labor Relations Department, impacted by deferrals and signing bonuses)1. Juan Soto, Mets- $61,875,000

Roberts told reporters that he felt "a little something in (his) stomach" when he learned of the MRI results but felt reassured once he spoke with Betts.

"He's actually in better spirits," Roberts told reporters. "Obviously disappointed, but just the way he feels today, and I think he's had some dealings with that before and said it's better than he recalls past experience. So that was encouraging."

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TheDodgers injury reporton MLB.com lists Betts' expected return for May. And while Roberts said he "would take the under" on the standard 4–6-week recovery period, he hesitated to put a definitive timeline due to the tricky nature of oblique injuries.

The Dodgers have three main options to turn to in Betts' absence between Rojas, Kim and rookie Alex Freeland. Roberts said he sees Rojas and Kim taking on the bulk of the reps at short and keeping Freeland in an everyday role at second base.

"That's how I'm gonna divvy it up and then we'll see," Roberts said. "We got three starters in Toronto, so Hyeseong will play short against Scherzer, and then we'll probably start two of the three."

As for the lineup, Roberts mused about the possibility of moving center fielder Andy Pages up in the order after starting off the season on tear, going 15-for-30 at the plate with three home runs and 10 RBI through eight games, though Roberts also said he likes the dynamic of the lineup as-is.

But regardless, losing Betts for a stretch of time is a blow for the Dodgers. He had gotten off to a slow start at the dish – as has most of the top of the order – but went 2-for-6 with a two-run go-ahead homer in the third inning of Friday's 13-6 win in DC.

"We were starting to get going a bit," Roberts said. "And he way he's playing defense, he's a big part of what we do. Any time you miss it's going to take some time to get your footing, so disappointed for him. But hopeful that it's not long term."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Dodgers' Mookie Betts placed on injury list with oblique strain

Mookie Betts injury update: Dodgers place SS on IL with oblique strain

On the same day that storm clouds delayed theLos Angeles Dodgers' series finale against the Nationalsin Washington, D...
Duke's Cameron Boozer wins men's Naismith Player of the Year award

Cameron Boozer's fantastic freshman season has earned him the Naismith Award for college basketball's men's player of the year.

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The Duke forward was given the award on Sunday after he averaged 22.5 points and 10.2 rebounds a game in 2025-26. Duke narrowly missed out on advancing to the Final Fourafter UConn stunned the Blue Devils 73-72 in the Elite Eight.

"I'm incredibly honored to receive the Naismith Player of the Year Award," Boozer said in a statement. "When you think about the history of this award and all the great players who've been recognized before, it really puts things in perspective. It's something I don't take lightly. This game has given me so much, and I've been lucky to be surrounded by amazing teammates, coaches, and a family that's supported me every step of the way. They've challenged me, believed in me, and helped me grow not just as a player, but as a person. I know I still have a long way to go, and this recognition just motivates me to keep working and do everything I can to keep improving every day."

Boozer's strong season powered Duke to the ACC regular season and tournament titles along with the No. 1 overall seed in the NCAA tournament. He scored at least 30 points on four different occasions and shot nearly 56% from the field.

In Duke's season-ending loss to the Huskies, Boozer scored 27 points and had 8 rebounds and 4 assists.

Though he hasn't officially made his NBA Draft decision, Boozer is considered a likely top-five pick in what should be a stellar draft class. Boozer was the No. 3 recruit in the high school class of 2025 behind BYU's AJ Dybantsa and Kansas' Darryn Peterson.

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He chose Duke along with his twin brother Cayden, a four-star prospect. The two picked Duke, where their father, Carlos, starred for three seasons from 1999 through 2002 before he was a second-round pick of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2002 NBA Draft.

Cameron Boozer shot over 50% from the field in 27 of Duke's 38 games in 2025-26. Thanks to early-season wins over Kansas, Arkansas, Florida and Michigan State, Boozer immediately established himself as the best player in college basketball to take a lot of the drama out of the player of the year discussion.

Boozer scored 35 points on 13-of-18 shooting in a November win over Arkansas before following that up with 18 points and 15 rebounds in a 66-60 win at Michigan State on Dec. 6.

He was just as good in ACC play. Boozer scored 24 points and had 11 rebounds in Duke's only conference loss of the season at North Carolina. When the Tar Heels came to Duke to end the regular season, Boozer was 10-of-17 from the field for 26 points and had 15 rebounds in what could have been his final game at Cameron Indoor Stadium.

Along with Boozer, Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd was named the Naismith coach of the year and Florida's Rueben Chinyelu was named the defensive player of the year. Lloyd's award comes a day after his Wildcats were blown out in the Final Four by Michigan as the Wolverines advanced to play UConn in the national championship game on Monday night.

Duke's Cameron Boozer wins men's Naismith Player of the Year award

Cameron Boozer's fantastic freshman season has earned him the Naismith Award for college basketball's men's p...
Backpacks full of explosives found near Russian gas pipeline close to Serbia-Hungary border

Two backpacks containing explosives were found near a pipeline in Serbia near the Hungarian border carrying Russian gas, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday.

CNN Serbia's President Aleksandar Vucic pictured during a press conference in his office in Belgrade, Serbia, October 9, 2025. - Marko Djurica/Reuters

Both Serbia and Hungary are stillheavily reliant on Russian energysupplies, putting them odds with other European countries seeking to reduce their reliance on Russian supplies.

The backpacks, containing "two large packages of explosives with detonators," were found in Kanjiza, in northern Serbia, "a few hundred meters from the gas pipeline," Vucic said.

Video and images in Serbian media show an extensive police presence in the area, along with roadblocks and helicopters above.

Vucic said he had informed Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban "of the initial results of the investigation by our military and police authorities into the threat to the critical gas infrastructure."

Orban, who is in the midst of a bitter election campaign ahead of a national vote next weekend, said onXthat he would convene an emergency defense council meeting later Sunday.

As to the origin of the explosives, Vucic said there were "certain traces" he could not discuss immediately.

He added that the explosives could have "endangered many lives" and caused significant damage to the pipeline. Serbian authorities are yet to give details on possible motives.

Close ties

Vucic and Orban both have strong relations with Moscow. Last month, Serbia secured a further three months of gas imports from Russia following talks between Vucic and Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

Orban has frequentlycomplainedthat Ukraine has blocked its oil supplies through a Russian pipeline that crosses Ukrainian territory.

On Saturday, the Hungarian Prime Ministerposted a videowarning that a "severe energy crisis is approaching, accelerating day by day," because of the war in the Middle East, and demanded that the European Union suspend sanctions on the import of Russian energy.

Hungary has used its own exemption from the EU sanctions to deepen its dependence on Russian fossil fuels.

After news of the explosive discovery of the explosives emerged, members of Orban's government began insinuating that Ukraine was responsible for the plot.

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In posts on social media, Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó compared the discovery of the backpacks to the September 2022 attack onthe Nord Stream pipeline, which he accuses Ukraine of being behind, Kyiv has repeatedly denied any involvement.

In the attack, a series of underwater explosions triggered major leaks fron the natural gas pipelines linking Russia and Germany via the Baltic Sea.

The blasts ocurred in international waters and left the pipelines inoperable.

Following a lengthy investigation, German prosecutors issued arrest warrants for two Ukrainian nationals accusing them of sabotaging the Nord Stream pipes, both men have denied any involvement.

Ukraine, for its part, has denied any connection to the alleged explosives on the Serbian-Hungarian border, responding with its own conspiracy theory.

"We categorically reject attempts to falsely link Ukraine to the incident with explosives found near the Turkstream pipeline in Serbia," wrote Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi, suggesting that the explosives may have been placed as part of a Russian "false-flag operation."

Hungarian opposition leader Péter Magyar echoed Tykhi's claims in a post on X, writing that if Orban attempts to campaign off the incident, "it will amount to an open admission that it was a pre-planned false-flag operation."

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban and Russian President Vladimir Putin speak during a meeting in Moscow, Russia, November 28, 2025. Orban is considered to have strong relations with Russia. - Alexander Nemenov/Pool/Reuters

The accusations flying back and forth come amid Orban's longstanding disagreements with the European Union over relations with Russia, support for Ukraine and immigration.

He has also been an outspoken ally of US President Donald Trump and received vocal support from Trump administration officials.

In the last week of Hungary's election campaign, US Vice President JD Vance will visit Budapest to meet Orban. In February, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said relations between Washington and Budapest had entered a "golden age" andtold Orbanat a news conference that "your success is our success."

Orban faces the biggest challenge to his rule in 16 years,according to analysts.

Two polls published last week showed Hungary's center-right Tisza party widening its lead over Orban's ruling Fidesz party ahead of the April 12 parliamentary election, although a large share of voters remained undecided.

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Backpacks full of explosives found near Russian gas pipeline close to Serbia-Hungary border

Two backpacks containing explosives were found near a pipeline in Serbia near the Hungarian border carrying Russian gas, ...

 

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