A recent escalation in the Ukraine-Russia conflict has seen a Ukrainian drone attack reportedly target a critical international oil pipeline within Russian territory. The incident, which occurred around March 11, 2025, involved the Druzhba (Friendship) pipeline, a vital artery for transporting Russian crude oil to several Central European nations.
The Druzhba pipeline is one of the world’s largest oil pipeline networks, with a significant capacity of 1.2 to 2 million barrels per day. It serves as a crucial supply route to countries like Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. While the northern branch, supplying Poland and Germany, has seen reduced flow due to EU sanctions, the southern branch remains essential for these exempted nations.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirmed the attack, stating that oil shipments to Hungary via the Druzhba pipeline were temporarily halted due to a Ukrainian drone strike on a metering station in Russia’s Oryol Oblast. Although repairs were reportedly swift and supplies resumed later the same day in some instances, the incident underscores the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure amidst the ongoing conflict.
Ukraine has increasingly focused on targeting Russia’s energy infrastructure, viewing it as a legitimate response to the continued Russian aggression and a means to disrupt Russia’s war efforts by impacting its revenue streams and logistical capabilities. Reports suggest that Ukrainian drone strikes have already affected a notable portion of Russia’s oil refining capacity in recent months.
The targeting of the Druzhba pipeline, despite its importance for European energy security, marks a significant development. While the EU has reduced its reliance on Russian oil, the Druzhba’s southern branch remains a key source for specific Central European countries. Hungary’s Foreign Minister himself described the attack as unacceptable and called on Ukraine to refrain from targeting energy infrastructure bound for Hungary, emphasizing its importance for their sovereignty.
