The recent Ukrainian drone strikes have forced Russia’s Ust-Luga oil export terminal on the Baltic Sea coast to cut operations by half for September, Reuters reports. The disruption follows earlier drone attacks on pipeline infrastructure, and has triggered emergency rerouting of crude exports to other ports.

Damage affects flows to key terminal

Two industry sources told Reuters that Ust-Luga will operate at about 350,000 barrels per day—roughly half its normal capacity. The slowdown comes after Ukrainian drone strikes earlier in August targeted the Unecha pumping station in Russia’s Bryansk Oblast. Unecha is a crucial node in the pipeline system that feeds Ust-Luga and is also linked to the Druzhba pipeline.

The drone attacks have affected crude flows not only to Ust-Luga but also through the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Belarus, Slovakia, and Hungary. Slovakia said on 28 August that initial supplies via the Druzhba line had resumed in test mode.

Crude redirected as repair work begins

The Reuters sources did not clarify which pipeline was damaged but said that repair work was underway. However, there is no clear timeline for when full capacity at Ust-Luga will be restored. To limit export losses, oil volumes are being redirected to Russia’s Primorsk and Novorossiisk ports.

Slovakia’s Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár warned that Ukrainian attacks on the Druzhba oil pipeline could backfire against Ukraine itself, potentially cutting off diesel supplies that account for 10% of the country’s monthly fuel consumption.

Speaking on political program Politika 24 on 24 August, Blanár revealed he had discussed the issue by phone with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha. The Slovak minister emphasized that the Slovnaft refinery, which processes Russian oil transported through the pipeline, serves as a major diesel supplier to Ukraine.

“We understand that this is difficult for Ukraine, but this infrastructure is very important for us, especially when we see that Ukraine itself is harming its own interests because it risks not having enough fuel on its side,” Blanár stated. “Our national interest is to protect these supplies, and therefore we communicate openly with the Ukrainian side.”

The minister said Sybiha acknowledged this information and would communicate it further within the Ukrainian government.

Blanár announced he would continue discussions on the European level and in a video call with Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister scheduled for 25 August.

The Slovak Foreign Minister referenced a January European Union statement defining energy supply infrastructure integrity as “indivisible” for the bloc. The statement called on all third parties, including Ukraine and Russia, to respect this principle, with the European Commission pledging to take measures if violations occur.

On Friday, Slovakia and Hungary sent a joint letter to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen, demanding immediate action to ensure energy supply security commitments to EU member states are honored.

“I don’t want to escalate this situation with my statements today. First and foremost, I call for a pragmatic approach,” Blanár said. “Even though I know this is painful for Ukraine, because a few days ago one significant refinery that supplies Ukraine with products was bombed. But it is necessary that we protect our interests.”

The minister expressed hope that US President Donald Trump’s initiative could lead to peace negotiations and end the war in Ukraine. He noted that attacks on energy infrastructure from both sides have increased despite ongoing peace talks.

“We perceive that these attacks, despite ongoing peace negotiations, are increasing and have an impact on critical infrastructure on which we depend as the Slovak Republic, as well as Hungary,” Blanár explained.

According to reports from Ukrainian outlet Teraz and hromadske, the controversy stems from three separate Ukrainian drone attacks on the Druzhba pipeline’s distribution stations in Russia’s Bryansk Oblast.

The first attack occurred on 13 August, when Hungary accused Ukraine of targeting a distribution station that plays a “key role” in Hungary’s energy security. A hromadske intelligence source confirmed the strike caused a fire at a facility involved in supplying Russia’s military-industrial complex.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto reported a second attack on 18 August, which disrupted oil supplies for one day. A third attack on 22 August again halted Russian oil deliveries through the pipeline.

The Druzhba pipeline carries Russian crude oil to Slovakia and Hungary, both EU members that have maintained exemptions from broader European sanctions on Russian energy imports. The pipeline supplies the Slovnaft refinery, which then processes the crude into various petroleum products, including the diesel fuel that Ukraine imports.

Hungary and Slovakia’s joint appeal to EU leadership represents an escalation in diplomatic pressure over the pipeline attacks. Both countries argue that Ukraine’s targeting of the infrastructure violates EU principles while simultaneously undermining Ukraine’s own energy security needs.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on June 30 rebuked Slovakia's foreign minister after he suggested the international community might "perhaps even forgive" Russia's actions and reengage in dialogue with Moscow to end the war in Ukraine.

"Russia's sense of impunity is the root cause of its crimes," Sybiha wrote in a post on X. "It's naive to expect a criminal to stop if their crime is forgiven instead of punished. Russia will hit your other cheek as well. And those who have lost no one in this war have no right to make such statements."

Sybiha's remarks came in response to comments made by Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar during a domestic media interview on June 29. Blanar argued the war in Ukraine could not be resolved militarily and called for a return to diplomacy, suggesting Russia could be forgiven.

"Let us return to respect for international law and seek ways to communicate with the Russian Federation," he said. "And perhaps even forgive everything that has happened."

Slovakia recently requested a delay in adopting the European Union's 18th sanctions package against Russia, citing the need for further clarification on how it would impact member states, particularly in light of the EU's RePowerEU initiative to end dependence on Russian fossil fuels by 2030.

Fico's administration has distanced itself from the pro-Ukraine consensus within the EU and NATO. Since taking office in 2023, he has halted Slovak military aid to Ukraine and pursued diplomatic engagement with Russia. Earlier this year, Fico attended Russia's Victory Day Parade in Moscow and met with President Vladimir Putin — a gesture most Western leaders avoided.

Fico has dismissed the idea of meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky, telling Slovak broadcaster STVR that Zelensky "hates me" and that such a meeting "has no significance."

Ukraine has consistently emphasized that peace can only come through justice and accountability for Russian war crimes and aggression, a position echoed by many Western governments.

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Slovakia’s Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar has suggested that the international community may need to "perhaps" forgive Russia’s actions and resume dialogue with Moscow as a means to end the war in Ukraine.

His remarks came after Slovakia requested that the adoption of the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia be postponed until a decision is made on the consequences for the member states from RePowerEU, the European Commission's initiative to end dependence on Russian fossil fuels by 2030 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Blanar, speaking to domestic media, said the ongoing war cannot be resolved on the battlefield and stressed the importance of diplomacy and international law. "Let us return to respect for international law and seek ways to communicate with the Russian Federation," he said on June 29. "And perhaps even forgive everything that has happened."

The comments mark another example of how Slovakia’s current leadership is diverging from the broader pro-Ukraine stance of the EU and NATO.

Under Prime Minister Robert Fico, Bratislava has adopted a more conciliatory tone toward Moscow, including continuing diplomatic engagement while most Western nations cut ties following Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

Earlier this year, Fico attended Russia’s Victory Day Parade in Moscow, where he met with President Vladimir Putin. However, he dismissed the idea of engaging with President Volodymyr Zelensky.

"I see no reason to meet with the Ukrainian president," Fico said in a recent interview with Slovak broadcaster STVR. "My meeting with President Zelensky has no significance because he hates me," he added.  Zelensky has not yet responded to Fico's claims.

While Fico halted Slovak military support for Ukraine upon taking office in 2023, he has paradoxically voiced support for Ukraine’s European Union membership. "Ukraine's EU membership brings more advantages than disadvantages for Slovakia," the prime minister said.

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The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Denisova

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on June 28 that he does not intend to meet directly with President Volodymyr Zelensky, claiming that the Ukrainian president "hates" him, as relations between the two countries continue to sour.

Fico's comments come just one day after Slovakia joined Hungary in blocking an 18th package of sanctions against Russia, an unnamed EU official told the Kyiv Independent. Unlike Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has consistently opposed sanctions against Russia, Slovakia has not previously attempted to block EU sanctions.

"I see no reason to meet with the Ukrainian president," Fico told Slovak broadcaster STVR, stressing he has better relations with Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. "My meeting with President Zelensky has no significance because he hates me," he added.

Fico's comments on a potential meeting refer to talks on improving bilateral relations between the two countries, including in areas of Ukraine's EU accession as well as additional sanctions on Russia.

"I’m the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic, and my task is to do everything to ensure that gas prices in Slovakia do not rise because of Ukraine," Fico told STVR, in reference to concerns over Slovakia's reliance on Russian gas and energy exports that were allegedly not addressed in the 18th sanctions package.

Slovakia has requested that the adoption of the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia be postponed until a decision is made on the consequences for the member states from RePowerEU, the European Commission's initiative to end dependence on Russian fossil fuels by 2030 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

EU foreign policy decisions, including sanctions, require unanimous approval by all member states. A Slovak veto could continue to force concessions or delay enforcement in future rounds.

Despite the criticism, Fico added that "Ukraine's EU membership brings more advantages than disadvantages for Slovakia," but stressed that other officials, including Slovakian President Peter Pellegrini would handle discussions with top Ukrainian leadership.

Since taking office in 2023, Fico has also reversed Slovakia's previous pro-Ukraine policy, ending military aid to Kyiv and questioning the value of EU sanctions on Russia.

Zelensky has not responded to Fico's claims.

EU fails to adopt new Russia sanctions due to Hungarian, Slovak opposition, source says

Unlike Ukraine-skeptic Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Slovakia has not previously attempted to block EU sanctions.

The Kyiv IndependentKateryna Hodunova

Editor's note: The story was updated with Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's statement voiced during the EU summit.

EU ambassadors have failed to approve the 18th package of sanctions against Russia due to opposition from Hungary and Slovakia, an unnamed EU official told the Kyiv Independent on June 27.

After the 17th package of sanctions against Russia took effect on May 20, Ukraine's allies announced the following day that another round of restrictions was already in the works. Meanwhile, officials in Hungary and Slovakia protested against the approval of new restrictions against Russia.

Unlike Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, who has consistently opposed sanctions against Russia, Slovakia has not previously attempted to block EU sanctions.

"No agreement was reached. Ambassadors will return to this issue after two reservations are removed," the source told Suspilne in a reference to the position of Slovakia and Hungary.

Slovakia has requested that the adoption of the 18th package of EU sanctions against Russia be postponed until a decision is made on the consequences for the member states from RePowerEU, the European Commission's initiative to end dependence on Russian fossil fuels by 2030 in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico voiced this proposal during the EU summit, the Slovak Foreign Ministry told Suspilne.

The ambassadors also agreed to extend sectoral sanctions against Russia for six months. These sanctions encompass a broad array of economic areas, including restrictions on trade, finance, technology and dual-use goods, industry, transport, and luxury goods.

In June, the European Commission presented the 18th package of sanctions, which includes new restrictions against the Russian energy and banking sectors and transactions related to the Nord Stream gas pipeline project.

Ukraine's European allies are tightening sanctions against Russia as Moscow refuses to accept a ceasefire. Despite Russia's refusal, no new U.S. sanctions have been imposed so far.

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The Slovak police sought to detain ex-Defense Minister Jaroslav Nad over alleged misconduct during the donation of ammunition to Ukraine in 2022, the Slovak newspaper Dennik N reported on June 18, citing two undisclosed sources.

According to his social media, Nad is currently vacationing in Canada. The Slovak police reportedly also seek to detain a former Defense Ministry official and have detained an ex-head of the Konstrukta Defense state company in a move denounced by Nad's opposition Democrats party as politically motivated.

The police operation reportedly concerns 120 mm rounds that Slovakia donated to Ukraine at the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022. The Slovak Defense Ministry allegedly initially sold the obsolete ammunition to a private company, only to later purchase it through Konstrukta Defense for a higher price for swift deliveries to the war-torn nation.

Nad was the defense minister between 2020 and 2023, during which time Slovakia decisively supported Ukraine against Russian aggression and provided substantial military aid.

Bratislava's foreign policy radically shifted after the election victory of left-nationalist Robert Fico in September 2023, who halted military aid from Slovak military stocks, adopted more hostile rhetoric toward Kyiv, and sought close energy ties with Russia.

Nad dismissed the allegations as a "theater," portraying it as the government's attempt to distract the public from internal problems.

"Today's theater didn't shock or upset me in the slightest," Nad said on Facebook.

"I'll keep reminding myself of how proud I am of the support we gave to Ukraine. I'd make the same decision again — without hesitation."

Fico has long criticized Western military aid to Ukraine and the defense assistance provided to Kyiv under the previous Slovak government. In a separate case last year, Slovak Defense Minister Robert Kalinak denounced last year a decision to send MiG-29 jets to Ukraine as "treason."

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