Hungary and Slovakia Demand Ukraine Stop Attacks on Russia’s Druzhba Pipeline

What Stands in the Way of a Putin-Zelensky Meeting?

Sign up for our free weekly newsletter

Remind me next month

Hungary and Slovakia are urging the European Commission to press Ukraine to stop striking Russia’s Druzhba oil pipeline after a drone and missile attack in the Bryansk region halted deliveries early Friday, marking the third such disruption in less than two weeks.

“Within just nine days, the Druzhba oil pipeline, which supplies oil to Hungary and subsequently Slovakia, has suffered its third incident of damage,” the foreign ministries of Hungary and Slovakia said in a joint statement. “[We] call on the European Commission to immediately ensure that commitments to safeguard the energy security of EU member states are upheld.”

Earlier, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjártó said the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies both Hungary and Slovakia, was struck in an overnight attack near the Russian-Belarusian border.

“This is yet another strike against our country’s energy security. Another attempt to drag us into the war,” Szijjártó wrote on Facebook. “It will not succeed! We will continue to support every effort toward peace, and we will defend our national interests!”

Slovakia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Denisa Saková also said oil deliveries to her country had been disrupted early Friday.

“Another attack on the Druzba pipeline near the Belarusian border. Overloading is about to stop. We are investigating the extent of the damage,” she wrote on Facebook.

Ukrainian military officials said the attack targeted the Unecha oil pumping station and posted footage showing explosions and large fires at the facility.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said its air defenses destroyed 19 Ukrainian drones in the Bryansk region overnight, with 54 drones reported overall.

The Druzhba pipeline was previously forced offline

The EU banned most Russian oil imports after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, but exempted the Druzhba pipeline.

A Message from The Moscow Times:

Dear readers,

We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our

These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The

We, the

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.