Raw oil shipments from Belarus have resumed through the Ukrainian section of the Druzhba pipeline, with deliveries expected to reach EU countries shortly. This development was confirmed by the Hungarian energy company MOL.
Ukrtransnafta, the operator of the pipeline, notified MOL that transit operations were restored at noon, allowing oil to flow from Belarus into Ukraine. MOL has acknowledged the resumption of supplies, anticipating the arrival of the first oil batches in Hungary and Slovakia as soon as the following day.
Previously, Ukrtransnafta announced the completion of repair work on the Ukrainian segment of the Druzhba pipeline and the lifting of force majeure circumstances. Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova reported that the Ukrainian operator had begun pressurizing and filling the Druzhba pipeline.
The Druzhba pipeline is a crucial route for oil delivery to Central European nations.
On January 27, a Russian attack damaged infrastructure in Brody, Lviv Oblast, impacting the pipeline’s operations. Naftogaz reported that the Russian military targeted critical infrastructure in western Ukraine, leading to a fire and halting technological processes at the site.
According to reports, the damaged facility in Brody is linked to the Druzhba pipeline, which remains operational for transporting Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. On February 12, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that oil supplies through the Druzhba pipeline were halted due to the January 27 attack, and he indicated that Budapest was preparing to file complaints regarding transit issues.
Sybiha criticized Hungary for not formally protesting against Russia, highlighting perceived double standards in their response. Both Hungary and Slovakia announced a suspension of diesel exports to Ukraine until Russian oil supplies through Druzhba are restored.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry clarified that Kyiv informed Budapest about the Russian attack on the Druzhba pipeline and the resulting damage on January 27, arguing that accusations of delayed supplies were unfounded.
The European Commission has expressed a desire for Ukraine to restore operations on the Druzhba pipeline, but noted that the decision should be made by Ukraine due to the risk of further Russian attacks.
On February 21, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico announced that Slovakia would halt electricity supplies to Ukraine on February 23 if oil transit through Druzhba was not resumed. A similar statement was made by the Hungarian government.
Ukraine has proposed to the European Union the use of the Odessa-Brody pipeline as an alternative for oil supplies to the EU, given the damage to Druzhba.
On February 27, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban announced that Hungary and Slovakia would form a joint investigative commission to assess the condition of the Druzhba pipeline. On March 11, it was reported that a Hungarian delegation, led by State Secretary Gabor Chepek, arrived in Ukraine to evaluate the pipeline’s status and discuss the resumption of oil transit. However, President Zelensky stated he was unaware of any such visit, as no arrangements had been made with the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry.
The Druzhba pipeline has resumed oil transit from Belarus through Ukraine, with deliveries expected soon in Hungary and Slovakia. This follows repairs after damage from a Russian attack in January, which had halted operations.