Druzhba pipeline moved Ukrainian and Russian oil before Russian attack

According to sources in the energy sector, the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Hungary and Slovakia, also transported Ukrainian oil before Russia's attack in January. This information has not previously been made public.

After damage to infrastructure in western Ukraine, the flow stopped, and Kyiv lost an important source of foreign currency needed to finance its budget during the war.

With most of its refineries destroyed, Ukraine has nowhere to process its own oil. It appears that exporting via Druzhba was the only realistic solution, which could have amounted to tens of thousands of tons per month.

However, most of the pipeline's capacity is traditionally filled with Russian oil, which Hungary and Slovakia continue to purchase despite pressure from the EU.

Druzhba, once one of the pillars of energy relations between Russia and Europe, now operates in the shadow of sanctions, political disputes and military attacks. Meanwhile, Brussels is preparing a proposal for a complete ban on Russian oil imports.

(reuters, pir)