Hungary, Slovakia Lose Russian Oil After Ukrainian Strikes Pipeline

Hungary and Slovakia could lose Russian oil imports for at least five days after Ukraine struck a crucial pipeline traveling into the European Union.

The strike hit the Unecha oil pumping station, located on the Druzhba pipeline that carries Russian oil into much of eastern Europe. The pipeline begins in Russia before moving into Belarus, where it splits into various different smaller pipelines. These pipes carry oil into Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Germany, Czech Republic, Croatia, Hungary, and Slovakia, many of which were heavily dependent on Russian oil.

Nevertheless, as the European Union has attempted to move away from Russian oil in recent years, Hungary and Slovakia remain the only two EU member nations that still import pre-war levels of oil from Russia.

This is the third strike on the pipeline within one week, with Ukraine targeting Russian energy as a counter to Putin's actions. Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure throughout the ongoing three-year war, hitting nuclear plants in addition to thermal, hydroelectric, and gas facilities.

However, Hungary and Slovakia, two of the European countries most dependent on Russian oil, have called on the European Union to halt Ukraine's pipeline strikes right away. Contrary to the moves many other European countries are making, Hungary and Slovakia continue to import a significant amount of Russian oil despite the war, making them more vulnerable after Ukrainian attacks on gas pipelines. They claim that their support for Ukraine in the fight against Russia should not end up negatively affecting them, calling Ukraine's actions " completely irresponsible."

Now, it is expected to take at least five days to repair the pipeline, forcing both countries to find alternative energy solutions. Additionally, US President Donald Trump has publicly expressed his anger after the strikes, personally sending a message to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán regarding the topic.

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Image credit to Reuters