Ukrainian Confirms Strike on Russian Pipeline, Disrupting Oil Flow to Slovakia

Bratislava/Kiev, 18 August (TASR) – The Ukrainian military has confirmed it carried out a strike on a pumping station in Russia’s Tambov region, which led to a halt in oil transportation through the Druzhba pipeline, including supplies to Slovakia. This was reported by TASR on Monday based on a report from Sky News. The attack was initially reported by Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto, who condemned it as unacceptable and outrageous, stating that Hungary’s energy security had been targeted. In response, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha told Szijjarto to direct complaints on such matters to “his friends” in Russia, which invaded Ukraine more than three years ago, and not to Kiev. According to a statement by the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Telegram, Ukrainian forces, including drone units, attacked the Nikolskoye pumping station in the Tambov region overnight Monday. The facility, they stated, contributes to the supply of Russian occupying forces in Ukraine. The strike reportedly triggered a fire at the site, leading to a complete suspension of oil deliveries through the Druzhba pipeline. Slovak Economy Minister Denisa Sakova confirmed that her ministry has recorded a suspension of Russian oil supplies via the Druzhba pipeline and expects the malfunction to be resolved by the Russian side in the coming days. She attributed the issue to damage at a transformer station, noting this is the second such incident affecting Druzhba infrastructure on Russian territory in the past week. According to Sakova, the security of supply for Slovakia and the wider region is not at risk. mf