Russian crude oil, delivered through the Drujba pipe to Central and Eastern Europe, photo: Attila Kisbenedek / AFP / Profimedia
Russian oil flows back to Hungary and Slovakia through the Drujba pipeline, officials from both countries announced, after an Ukrainian drone attack on an oil pumping station in the Tambov region of Russia has interrupted the supply, Reuters reports.
Ukraine has intensified the attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure, a key source of financing for Kremlin war efforts, oil and gases representing a quarter of the total revenues of the Russian state budget.
Unlike most other countries in the European Union, Slovakia and neighbor of Hungary have maintained their dependence on Russian energy and acquire most of their crude oil through the “Drujba” (“friendship” pipeline).
“The oil flow to Slovakia is currently normal,” said Slovak Minister Denisa Sakova, in a statement.
“In the following days, we will have clearer information on any adjustments of the supply program for this month … However, I think, given the rapid resumption of flow through the Drujba pipe, the impact will be minimal,” she added.
And the oil flow through the Drujba pipe to Hungary was resumed, said Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, in a statement.
“I just thanked the Deputy Minister of Energy in Russia, Pavel Sorokin, for the rapid remedy of the damage caused by the attack,” Szijjarto wrote on Facebook.
The Hungarian oil company Mol stated in a statement that fuel production was not interrupted during temporary stop.
The oil flow through the Drujba pipe, built by the Soviets, was suspended for a short time and in March, following an Ukrainian attack on a measurement station.
