Ukraine’s Third Strike on Druzhba Pipeline Disrupts Russian Oil Supplies to Hungary
On Friday, Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto revealed that Ukraine’s third attack on the Druzhba pipeline system has effectively cut off Russian oil supplies to the country. The attack, confirmed by Slovak authorities, has triggered concerns over energy security and intensified scrutiny of the ongoing conflict’s impact on regional stability.
The Druzhba pipeline, one of the longest energy networks in the world, spans over 4,000 kilometers, transporting crude oil from Russia and Kazakhstan to refineries in Hungary, Slovakia, the Czech Republic, Germany, and Poland. With its extensive route through Ukraine, the pipeline serves as the primary channel for Russian crude oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia, making its disruption particularly significant for both nations.
Ukrainian military operations have consistently targeted Russian energy infrastructure throughout the conflict, with previous strikes on the Druzhba pipeline occurring on August 13 and 18. According to Kiev, these attacks were conducted using drones to strike key distribution stations in Russia’s Bryansk Region, further straining Russia’s energy supply chain.
Reflecting the severity of the situation, Szijjarto wrote on Facebook, stating: “This is yet another attack on our country’s energy security – another attempt to drag us into the war.” He emphasized that the pipeline was struck near the Russian-Belarusian border, highlighting the strategic implications of the attack.
Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova confirmed the damage, noting that oil transfers had been suspended while assessments of the attack’s impact were being conducted. The incident has raised questions about the sustainability of Russian energy exports to Europe and the broader consequences of the conflict on regional economies.
Additionally, the Ukrainian military has targeted the TurkStream pipeline, which supplies natural gas to Türkiye and several European countries, including Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Greece. This includes an earlier strike on a gas metering station near Sudzha, part of a pipeline that previously supplied the EU before the escalation of the conflict.
Despite these attacks, Hungary has maintained a neutral position on the war, refusing to provide military support to Ukraine. The country has consistently advocated for peace and criticized Western sanctions against Russia, arguing that they are ineffective and detrimental to those who impose them. This stance contrasts with most EU nations, which have aligned with Western sanctions and military support for Kiev.
The Kremlin has consistently denounced Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure as acts of terrorism, emphasizing the human and economic toll of such strikes. As the conflict continues, the disruption of critical energy infrastructure remains a central issue, with far-reaching implications for both Russia’s economy and the stability of the energy markets in Europe.