Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi


Romulusz Ruszin-Szendi is Hungarian politician and former Hungarian military officer. He served as the Chief of the Hungarian Defence Forces from 1 June 2021 to 27 April 2023, when President Katalin Novák dismissed him from his position. According to the president, Ruszin-Szendi "fulfilled his duties with his best knowledge".
From the February 2025, he is the leading military expert of the Tisza Party.
Ruszin-Szendi went to János Lenkey Cadet College at the István Dobó Middle School in Eger. After finishing middle school, he went to Lajos Kossuth Military College in Szentendre and received his degree and commission as an artillery officer in 1995. As a field officer, he was appointed to the Miklós Zrínyi National Defense University's Military Leader Course. In 2006, Ruszin-Szendi attended the Hungarian Special Forces Qualification Course, and a year later, the Hungarian Special Forces Staff Course. In 2009, he graduated from the Joint Special Operations University, Combating Terrorism Course, and the Special Forces Advance Urban Operation Course in Germany with the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
He received his PhD degree at the Miklós Zrínyi National Defense University. In 2011 he attended the Joint Special Operations University, Advance Combating Terrorism Course. In 2014 he received his master's degree of Strategic Studies at the United States Army War College.

Tisza Party

Ruszin-Szendi first appeared at the Tisza Party's inaugural congress on February 15, 2025, although the press had already revealed days earlier that he would be joining the Tisza Party. To this, Ruszin-Szendi responded: "I can neither confirm nor deny it." In his speech at the congress, he criticized the Orbán government's defense policy.

Controversy

In September 2025, right-wing media outlet Mandiner published photos of him carrying a firearm concealed in a holster during a public event. After the initial denial and mocking coming from the independent media, which accused Mandiner of spreading fake news, Ruszin-Szendi and Péter Magyar admitted that he indeed had carried a pistol. This, and Ruszin-Szendi's previous statement, according to which "I am trained for that and I could do it" sparked public outrage, because it was the first time in contemporary Hungarian politics that a politician showed up with a gun at a public event. Moreover, carrying firearms in manifestation, protest, rally, gathering is forbidden by the Hungarian law even though Ruszin-Szendi then had a license to own a gun. On the 17 September, the Hungarian Police confiscated Ruszin-Szendi's gun, revoked his license, and started an investigation. Since then, more pictures surfaced, showing him with his pistol. On 27 September, the minister of defence – referring to dishonor as a reason – ended the reserve personnel contract with him and forbade him from using his former military rank.

International missions

  • 2007 - 2008 - Military Advisor and Liaison Team Commander, Iraq, Baghdad
  • 2011 - 2012 - Commander of HUN PRT, Afghanistan

Career

Promotions

  • 1995 - 1st Lieutenant
  • 1998 - Captain
  • 2003 - Major
  • 2007 - Lieutenant Colonel
  • 2010 - Colonel
  • 2016 - Brigadier General
  • 2021 - Major General
  • 2021 - Lieutenant General

Awards and decorations

1st rowHungarian Order of Merit Knight's Cross military ribbonMerit Medal for Service Gold CrossMerit Medal for Service Silver CrossMerit Medal for Service Bronze Cross
2nd rowService Medals for Officers 2nd classService Medals for Officers 3rd classService Medal for Flood ProtectionService Medal for Flood Protection
3rd rowService Medal for Flood ProtectionService Medal for Flood ProtectionDisaster Relief Service MedalMigration Crisis Management Service Medal
4th rowPeacekeeping Service Medal (Hungary) for service in IraqPeacekeeping Service Medal (Hungary) for service in AfghanistanAchievement MedalNATO Medal NTM-IRAQ
5th rowNATO Medal ISAF---