Russian crude resumes flow via Druzhba pipeline

Oil flows from Russia to Slovakia via the Druzhba pipeline have resumed following a three-month halt caused by infrastructure damage from Ukrainian missile strikes.

IMAGE: Flags of Slovakia and Hungary. Getty Images

The Druzhba oil pipeline, which was built during the Soviet-era, transports crude from Western Siberian and Caspian fields to European markets.

The pipeline passes through Russia's Bryansk region. The region is also traversed by the Baltic Pipeline System (BPS), which channels oil to the Baltic Sea.

Slovakia and Hungary are among the two European Union (EU) members who receive crude oil supply via the Druzhba pipeline.

Crude oil flows through the pipeline are currently in line with the agreed daily limit and technical pumping parameters, Slovakia's Ministry of Economy said in a statement.

“The Ministry of Economy of the Slovak Republic, in cooperation with Transpetrol, continues to monitor the situation on an ongoing basis and is in close contact with all relevant partners,” it said.

Oil flows were cut in early January after a drone strike hit the Druzhba pipeline, an attack Ukraine attributes to Russia.

Meanwhile, Hungary and Slovakia have accused Ukraine of delaying the repair works and threatened to reduce power supplies to Ukraine, according to media reports.

Ukraine will complete repairs on the damaged pipeline in spring 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said without specifying a concrete timeline, Reuters reported.

“We will complete the repairs because that is the agreement. I told them we would finish this spring,” Reuters cited Zelenskyy as saying.

By Aparupa Mazumder

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