Disruption of Russian Oil Supplies to Hungary and Slovakia Following Ukrainian Strike

BUDAPEST - Oil shipments from Russia to Hungary and Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline were interrupted on Monday, as officials from both countries reported that the halt was a result of a Ukrainian attack on a section of the infrastructure.

Ukraine has intensified its strikes on Russian energy facilities, which are crucial for funding the Kremlin's military endeavors. In fact, oil and gas revenues contribute significantly to Russia's national budget, accounting for approximately 25% of total proceeds.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha did not explicitly confirm or deny the circumstances surrounding the recent incident. However, he suggested on social media that Hungary should direct its grievances toward Moscow rather than Kyiv.

This interruption in oil supplies coincides with U.S. President Donald Trump's scheduled meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders in Washington, where discussions are expected to focus on urging Ukraine to consider a peace settlement with Russia.

Unlike many other EU nations, Hungary has maintained a strong dependence on Russian energy resources since the onset of the invasion of Ukraine. The Druzhba pipeline, which carries crude oil from Russia through Belarus and Ukraine to Hungary and Slovakia, has been a vital source for Hungarian crude imports.

The Druzhba pipeline faced a previous temporary suspension in March due to a Ukrainian strike on a metering station. Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto stated on social media that he had contacted Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin, who indicated that efforts were underway to repair the transformer station that sustained damage in the latest attack. However, the timeline for resuming oil deliveries remains uncertain.

Szijjarto condemned the attack as an unacceptable threat to Hungary's energy security but did not provide specific details regarding the timing or location of the incident. Sorokin has yet to respond to inquiries for further information. Russia's Transneft, the operator of the Druzhba pipeline within Russian territory, along with the energy ministry, also declined to comment on the situation.

According to official Russian government figures, approximately 4.78 million metric tons of oil, equivalent to around 95,000 barrels per day, were exported to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline last year.

Sybiha remarked on social media that the responsibility for the ongoing conflict lies with Russia, which initiated the war and continues to resist attempts for resolution. He emphasized that Hungary has been advised for years that Russia is an unreliable partner, yet the country has persisted in its efforts to rely on Russian energy.

The Slovak pipeline operator Transpetrol confirmed the cessation of oil supply to Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline. The company stated that it lacks further information regarding the cause of the suspension, which is outside Slovak territory. Nonetheless, oil transportation within Slovakia remains aligned with the established pumping plan.

Ukrainian military and defense agencies did not respond to requests for comment regarding the incident. Meanwhile, Hungarian oil company MOL assured that the overall regional oil supply remains secure despite the halt in Russian flows through the Druzhba pipeline. The company also indicated that technical restoration efforts are ongoing, after which crude oil deliveries are expected to resume.

Last year, Szijjarto affirmed that the Druzhba pipeline would continue to serve as Hungary's primary route for crude oil imports. The recent suspension of deliveries follows a temporary pause recorded on August 13, when Ukraine reported that its drones had targeted an oil pumping station in the Bryansk region of Russia.