On August 19, officials from Hungary and Slovakia announced that oil deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline to their countries have been restored after a temporary halt caused by a Ukrainian drone strike on a pumping station in Russia’s Tambov region.
Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure, one of the main sources of funding for its military aggression. Oil and gas sales account for about a quarter of Russia’s state budget revenue.
Unlike most European Union countries, Slovakia and neighboring Hungary remain dependent on Russian energy and receive the bulk of their crude oil through the Druzhba pipeline.
“The oil flow to Slovakia is currently normal,” said Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova. “In the coming days, we will have clearer information regarding possible adjustments to the supply schedule for this month… However, given the rapid restoration of the Druzhba pipeline flow, we expect minimal impact,” she added.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó also confirmed the resumption of oil deliveries to Hungary.
“I just thanked Russia’s Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin for promptly resolving the consequences of the attack,” Szijjártó wrote on Facebook.
Hungarian oil company MOL stated in an online release that fuel production was not disrupted during the temporary suspension.
The Druzhba pipeline, built during Soviet times, had previously been halted in March after a Ukrainian attack on a measurement station.
