Russian crude oil deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline were suspended on Monday, officials in both countries said, after a Ukrainian attack on a transformer station.
Unlike most other EU countries, Hungary has kept up its reliance on Russian energy since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. It imports most of its crude via the Druzhba pipeline, which runs through Belarus and Ukraine to Hungary and also Slovakia.
Hungarian Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Peter Szijjarto wrote on Facebook that he had talked to Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin, who told him that experts were working to restore the transformer station, but it was unclear when deliveries would resume.
"This latest strike against our energy security is outrageous and unacceptable," Szijjarto wrote. He did not say when or where the attack took place.
Hungary blamed Ukraine for the attack before latter's military confirmed that its drones had struck an oil pumping station in Russia's Tambov region, which led to the suspension of supplies.
"As a result of the strike, a fire broke out at the facility. Oil pumping through the Druzhba main oil pipeline was completely stopped," the General Staff said in a statement, adding that the station was part of Moscow's war effort in Ukraine.
Earlier on Monday, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha wrote on social media platform X that Hungary "can now send complaints" to Moscow, not Kyiv.
"It is Russia, not Ukraine, who began this war and refuses to end it. Hungary has been told for years that Moscow is an unreliable partner. Despite this, Hungary has made every effort to maintain its reliance on Russia," Sybiha adamantly wrote.
Slovak pipeline operator Transpetrol confirmed that the supply of oil to Slovakia through the Druzhba pipeline had stopped.
"Our company does not know more information about the reason for the suspension, which is outside the territory of the Slovak Republic. Oil transportation through Slovak territory is ensured and carried out in accordance with the pumping plan," the company said.
Last year, Szijjarto said the Druzhba pipeline would remain Hungary's primary route for crude oil imports.
Monday's suspension of oil deliveries comes after a temporary halt last week when Ukraine's military said on Aug. 13 that its drones had hit the Uniecha oil pumping station in Russia's Bryansk region.
