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Russian Oil Returns to Hungary and Slovakia as Druzhba Pipeline Operations Stabilize
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Russian oil exports to Hungary and Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline have returned to normal operating levels of around 165,000 barrels per day in May, three industry sources said on June 3, according to Reuters.
The resumption marks the first full month of deliveries through the route after a months-long interruption. Hungary and Slovakia resumed receiving crude via the pipeline on 23 April.
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According to the sources, Hungary and Slovakia received about 55,000 barrels per day in April, as flows were active for only one week during the restart phase.
While supply has now stabilised, May volumes remain below the pre-suspension level of 200,000 to 235,000 barrels per day, reflecting ongoing diversification efforts by the importing states.
Hungarian energy group MOL Group, which operates refineries in both Hungary and Slovakia, said it had diversified its crude procurement strategy.
“Fortunately, both the eastern and southern crude oil pipelines are currently operating without disruption, and we are exploring additional pipeline connections, such as the possibility of using the route through Odesa in the future,” the company said.
In late January, Russian forces have struck an infrastructure facility in the town of Brody in Lviv region, a site linked to the Druzhba oil pipeline, according to industry outlet enkorr.
The Brody City Council confirmed the fire and said local schools suspended classes as a precaution. Residents were advised to remain indoors and, where possible, avoid going outside. Kindergartens continued operating with windows and doors sealed.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Heorhii Tykhyi said the attack damaged “critical equipment,” making oil pumping impossible. He added that Hungary was informed of the cause of the disruption on the same day.
Tykhyi also criticised Budapest’s position, saying it was inconsistent, noting that Hungary had not publicly acknowledged Russia’s responsibility for the strike while at the same time suggesting Ukraine was to blame for the outage.
On April 21, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Ukraine has completed repair work on a section of the Druzhba pipeline that was damaged in a Russian missile strike
He noted, however, that despite the restoration work, there are no guarantees the infrastructure will not be targeted again by Russian forces. According to the president, Ukrainian specialists have ensured the necessary technical conditions for the pipeline system to function.
“We connect this with the unblocking of the European support package for Ukraine, which has already been approved by the European Council,” Zelenskyy added.
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