A powerful explosion occurred on a main oil pipeline in the Krasnoarmeisky district of the Saratov Oblast at about 1 am local time on 8 September, according to sources in the Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense who spoke to Hromadske.

The blast damaged the Kuibyshev-Lisichansk main oil pipeline, which supplied petroleum products to Russian military forces. The affected pipeline has a capacity of 82 million tons per year, according to the intelligence source.

Workers were observed gathering at the site following the explosion to address the damage. Russian media attributed the series of explosions in Saratov Oblast to “planned exercises.”

The pipeline attack represents the third oil and gas infrastructure target hit within 24 hours. Earlier incidents occurred in Russia’s Penza Oblast, where explosions damaged gas pipelines and oil infrastructure on 8 September.

At approximately 4:00 am on 8 September, at least four explosions occurred in Penza’s Zheleznodorozhny district, sources told Hromadske. The blasts put two main gas pipeline tubes with a capacity of 2 million barrels per day out of operation. Two regional gas pipeline tubes at the same location also sustained damage.

Local media described the incidents as scheduled exercises by Transneft Druzhba jointly with emergency and special services. The exercises were described as simulating responses to “man-made accidents at oil and gas infrastructure facilities.” Officials urged local residents to remain calm.

According to the HUR source, both damaged gas pipelines in Penza supported Russian military facilities involved in the war against Ukraine. The intelligence directorate said that all three infrastructure targets attacked within the 24-hour period served Russian military operations.

The explosions follow a pattern of attacks on Russian energy infrastructure since the war began. The incidents occurred as Russian forces continue their invasion of Ukraine.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Uzhhorod on 5 September, with energy infrastructure set as the primary agenda item, the Slovak government’s press service reported to the TASR agency.

The meeting in Uzhhorod represents a critical juncture for Slovak-Ukrainian relations, particularly as both countries navigate competing energy security priorities while maintaining their positions on the ongoing war.

The Slovak government press service confirmed that Fico will arrive in Uzhhorod on 5 September. Besides meeting with Zelenskyy, he will also hold talks with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. His delegation includes Economy Minister Denisa Sakova and Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar, with energy infrastructure discussions expected to dominate the talks.

“The Slovak premier and Ukrainian president will inform about the meeting’s conclusions at a joint press conference,” the government added, according to the report.

This marks the first bilateral meeting between Fico and Zelenskyy since the Slovak premier returned to office in 2023. The timing comes amid escalating tensions over energy transit routes that directly affect Slovakia’s oil supplies.

Hungary and Slovakia continue receiving Russian oil through the Druzhba pipeline, which Ukraine has targeted in recent attacks. Slovak and Hungarian foreign ministers have complained to the European Commission about these attacks, highlighting the regional energy security concerns.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban escalated the diplomatic response by writing to Trump about Ukraine’s attacks on the Druzhba pipeline, with the former president reportedly expressing anger over the situation. However, on 4 September, American President Donald Trump told European leaders that Europe “should stop purchasing Russian oil,” which he said helps Moscow finance the war against Ukraine.

Hungary has banned a Ukrainian commander from entering the country and the Schengen zone after strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline. The move was announced by Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó in a Facebook video on 28 August.

Hungary frames attacks against the pipeline in Russia as a threat to its sovereignty

In his FB video, Szijjártó said Ukraine had launched several strikes against the Druzhba oil pipeline, which he called vital for his country’s energy supply, adding that Hungary considers “every single attack against our energy security as an attack committed against our sovereignty.“

“Without the Druzhba pipeline, Hungary cannot be supplied with oil,” he claimed, adding, “Ukraine knows this precisely. Ukraine is fully aware that the pipeline is indispensable for Hungary’s secure energy supply.”

The minister stated that the strikes harmed Hungary and Slovakia more than Russia, without addressing why, in the fourth year of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Hungary remains fully dependent on Russian oil despite available alternatives, or that Hungary’s payments for this oil in effect bankroll Moscow’s war machine against Ukraine.

“Ukraine knows very well that the attacks against the Druzhba oil pipeline harm Hungary and, of course, Slovakia much more than Russia,” Szijjártó said.

He described the latest strike as “extremely serious,” adding that “restoration work took so long that we almost had to use strategic, or emergency, reserves.”

Ban on Ukrainian commander

Szijjártó announced that Hungary’s response would be to bar the commander of the Ukrainian unit behind the strike.

“We have therefore made the decision that the commander of the military unit which carried out the most recent extremely serious attacks against the Druzhba oil pipeline will be banned from Hungary and from the entire Schengen area,” he said. “This Ukrainian citizen will not be able to enter Hungary or the Schengen zone for the coming years.”

The Hungarian Prime Minister did not name the Ukrainian military officer targeted by the ban. The most likely candidate is Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces and an ethnic Hungarian.

He had previously claimed responsibility for the latest strike on the Druzhba pipeline, adding the 1956 Hungarian resistance slogan to his post: “Ruszkik haza!” (“Russians, go home!”).

Ukrainian long-range drones struck the Druzhba’s pumping stations on 19 and 21 August.

Ukraine has disabled 17% of Russia’s oil refining capacity through a wave of recent drone strikes targeting key infrastructure, Reuters reports. The attacks, carried out over the past month, have disrupted fuel processing, sparked gasoline shortages, and hit the core of Moscow’s war economy as Washington seeks to broker a peace deal.

Ukraine strikes 10 refineries, targets export terminals

Reuters calculated that Ukraine’s strikes have taken out 1.1 million barrels per day of Russian oil refining capacity. The drones targeted 10 plants, including Lukoil’s Volgograd refinery and Rosneft’s facility in Ryazan. Other damaged refineries include those in Rostov, Samara, Saratov, and Krasnodar regions.

In addition to oil refineries, Ukrainian drones attacked the Druzhba pipeline and Novatek’s Ust-Luga export terminal and gas processing complex on the Baltic Sea. The fire at the Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Rostov Oblast was still burning as of 25 August, days after being struck by drones.

The Syzran refinery in Samara Oblast was critically affected — key equipment was destroyed, rendering it unable to function. Afipsky in Krasnodar Krai and the facility in Novokuybyshevsk were also hit.

Fuel shortages hit occupied territories and Russia’s south and far east

Fuel shortages followed in parts of Russian-occupied Ukraine, southern Russia, and the Russian Far East. Moscow had already banned gasoline exports in July due to growing domestic demand.

According to Sergei Vakulenko of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center, the damaged plants have lost only part of their output, but even limited disruptions can impact supply. He previously worked for Gazprom Neft.

Russia depends on oil and gas for a quarter of its budget revenues. This year, it raised defense spending by 25%, reaching Cold War–era levels. Despite sanctions, Moscow continues large-scale weapons production. Still, economic growth has slowed, causing concern in the Kremlin.

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.

A Ukrainian drone strike hit Russia’s Druzhba oil pumping station in Unecha late on 21 August, setting off a major fire. Commander of the Ukrainian Forces of Unmanned Systems (SBS), Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, confirmed the attack and released footage showing flames at the site in Bryansk oblast.

Ukraine drones hit Unecha station again

Brovdi said that operators of the 14th regiment of the Forces of Unmanned Systems carried out the strike. He added the phrase “repair it in 48 hours,” mocking Russia’s attempts to restore the station after the previous hit.

Brovdi, who is ethnic Hungarian, also wrote in Hungarian “Ruszkik haza!” meaning “Russians go home.”

His post included video of the burning facility and described the drones as “birds of the SBS” continuing their “journey through worms’ refineries” — Ukraine has been targeting not oily the pumping stations, but also Russia’s oil refineries.

Bryansk governor Alexander Bogomaz announced a missile alert in Unecha district on 21 August. By the morning of 22 August, he claimed two fixed-wing drones had been destroyed allegedly with “no casualties or damages.” 

Unecha’s role in Druzhba pipeline

The Unecha pumping station is part of Russia’s 5,500-kilometer Druzhba oil pipeline. The station is owned by the state company Transneft and has the capacity to pump 60 million tons of oil annually. Located in the settlement of Vysokoe in Unecha district, about 60 kilometers from Ukraine’s border, it is crucial for transporting Russian oil to the Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga and for supplying Belarus’s Mozyr refinery.

Previous attacks on Druzhba

The Unecha pumping station had already been struck on 12 August, when Ukrainian forces destroyed two pumping stations, a technical building, and nearby equipment. That earlier attack also caused a large fire. The latest strike marks the second hit on the same target within nine days.

On 18 August, Ukraine’s General Staff reported a strike on the Nikolskoye-1 pumping station in Russia’s Tambov oblast, another Druzhba hub. That attack forced Hungary’s foreign minister Péter Szijjártó to confirm a temporary suspension of Russian oil transit to Hungary, before announcing on 20 August that deliveries had resumed. Szijjártó also claimed that Hungary is Ukraine’s largest supplier of electricity.

The Druzba pipeline, Russia’s massive oil export artery to Europe, has fully halted operations following a Ukrainian drone strike that disabled a key pumping station. As of 18 August, Ukrainian General Staff officially confirmed the pipeline’s shutdown, marking a major blow to Russia’s fuel exports—and a hard cutoff for its EU clients, including Hungary and Slovakia.

 Militarnyi reported that the attack responsible was conducted by Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (SBS) overnight on 18 August. Kyiv’s precision strike disabled the Nikolskoe-1 oil station in Russia’s Tambov Oblast, 400 km from the frontline. The pipeline has now ceased pumping on an “indefinite” timeline, according to Ukrainian sources.

Ukraine disables Russia’s oil flow to the EU

The General Staff stated on 18 August that pumping of oil through the Druzba pipeline had stopped completely. The shutdown came as a result of a fire triggered by a direct drone hit on the infrastructure. 

Ukraine cuts off Putin’s pipeline profits—Europe’s Druzba oil deliveries halted after yesterday’s drone assault

SBS strike made Russian upgrades irrelevant

Commander of Ukraine’s Drone Systems Forces, Robert “Madyar” Brovdi, stated that the 14th SBS regiment carried out the attack on the Nikolskoe-1 station. In a 18 August Facebook post, he confirmed the strike and mocked the outcome:

“The Druzba pipeline is resting. Full stop of oil pumping for an indefinite period. Greetings from the SBS Birds.”

Madyar also noted the station was “deflowered” by the unit’s UAVs.

Militarnyi noted that Russia had only recently upgraded safety systems at the facility, completing the latest overhaul in late July 2025. The update included new valves and modernized equipment—none of which stopped the site from going up in flames after Ukraine’s drone hit.

Budapest lashes out, Kyiv hits back

Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirmed the disruption of oil supply in a public statement on 18 August and sharply criticized Ukraine’s actions. In response, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Hungary had long ignored Kyiv’s warnings about relying on Russian energy, and should now “file complaints with their friends in Moscow.”

Hungary, a consistent outlier in the EU on Russia policy, has maintained crude oil imports from Russia since the full-scale invasion began. The Druzba pipeline was one of its main sources of supply.