On August 22, 2025, Hungary and Slovakia appealed to the European Commission, demanding measures to protect the Druzhba oil pipeline, which ensures the supply of Russian oil to these countries. Another attack by the Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) on the pipeline’s infrastructure, located on the Russian-Belarusian border, led to a suspension of oil transit for at least five days. This was stated by the foreign ministers of the two countries—Péter Szijjártó (Hungary) and Juraj Blanár (Slovakia)—in a joint letter addressed to EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas and EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jørgensen.
Third attack in nine days: threat to energy security
According to the foreign ministers of Hungary and Slovakia, the Druzhba oil pipeline has been subjected to three attacks by Ukraine over the past nine days. The latest strike, carried out on the night of August 22, targeted the Unecha oil pumping station in Russia’s Bryansk region. The region’s governor, Alexander Bogomaz, reported that the attack caused a fire at a fuel infrastructure facility. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó stated that due to the damage, oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia were halted, with preliminary estimates suggesting that restoration will take at least five days.
“The physical and geographical reality is such that without this pipeline, secure energy supply to our countries is simply impossible,” the ministers emphasized in their appeal, highlighting the critical importance of the Druzhba pipeline for the energy security of Hungary and Slovakia. Szijjártó specifically noted that the attacks cause harm not so much to Russia but to the recipient countries and called them “unacceptable.” He further stated that Ukraine’s actions could be interpreted as an attempt to draw Hungary into a conflict from which Budapest seeks to remain distanced.
Repeated attacks on Druzhba
This is not the first instance of Ukrainian Armed Forces (AFU) attacks disrupting the operation of the Druzhba oil pipeline. In August 2025, Hungary and Slovakia reported supply interruptions twice due to strikes on the pipeline’s infrastructure—on August 13 and August 18. The attack on August 13, according to the Bryansk region governor, involved HIMARS and drones, while the incident on August 18 led to a two-day suspension of transit. At that time, Russian specialists promptly repaired the damage, and supplies resumed by August 19. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó expressed gratitude to Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin for the swift restoration of the pipeline’s operations.
However, the latest attack, which occurred on the night of August 22, was more severe. Slovakia’s Economy Minister Denisa Saková stated that repair work would not be completed before Monday, August 25, but the country has oil reserves sufficient for 90 days, preventing an immediate crisis. Nevertheless, Budapest and Bratislava stress that repeated attacks threaten the stability of energy supplies and urge the European Commission to fulfill its commitments to protect energy infrastructure, as pledged in January 2025.
The European Commission’s reaction and Ukraine’s position
The European Commission has not yet given a clear response to the request from Hungary and Slovakia. Earlier, on August 19, EC Press Secretary Eva Hrnčirová said that the commission does not have reliable information about who exactly attacked the oil pipeline, and that these incidents do not pose a threat to the energy security of the European Union. This approach has caused discontent in Budapest, where they believe that the EC is underestimating the seriousness of the situation.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga, in response to Szijjártó’s accusations, said that Hungary itself seeks to maintain dependence on Russian energy resources, despite the military actions that began in 2022. He advised Budapest to “turn to friends in Moscow” to solve its problems.
“Friendship” and its importance for Europe
The Druzhba pipeline, the largest conduit for oil supplies from Russia to Europe, originates in Almetyevsk and passes through Bryansk, where it splits into two branches. The southern branch, running through Ukraine, supplies oil to Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. The northern branch, which goes through Belarus, Poland, and Germany, is currently used for transiting Kazakh oil, as Russian oil supplies through this route have been halted due to EU sanctions.
Hungary and Slovakia, lacking alternative oil sources due to geographical and infrastructural constraints, are particularly vulnerable to disruptions in the Druzhba pipeline. In December 2023, the EU imposed an embargo on Russian oil deliveries by sea but granted an exemption for Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, which rely on pipeline supplies. These countries have repeatedly opposed tightening sanctions, citing concerns over their energy security. In June 2025, Budapest and Bratislava even blocked the EU’s 18th sanctions package, which included restrictions in the energy sector.
Hungary as an electricity supplier for Ukraine
Szijjártó also reminded that Hungary remains the largest supplier of electricity to Ukraine, providing a significant portion of its energy needs. “Without us, Ukraine’s energy security would be extremely unstable,” he noted, urging Kiev to cease attacks on infrastructure critical to Budapest. This argument underscores the complex interdependence between the countries, despite political disagreements.
A challenge for the EU and the region
The latest attack on the Druzhba oil pipeline has intensified the discussion on the balance between supporting Ukraine and ensuring the energy security of EU countries. Hungary and Slovakia, dependent on Russian raw materials, are demanding specific actions from the European Commission to protect their interests. At the same time, Ukraine’s position, aimed at weakening Russia’s economic potential, complicates the search for a compromise.
The situation around Druzhba demonstrates how fragile Europe’s energy architecture remains amid geopolitical conflict. While repair works continue, and the diplomatic efforts of Budapest and Bratislava are aimed at restoring stable supplies, the question of whether the European Commission can offer an effective solution remains open.
Comments