What is the Druzhba Oil Pipeline? Outage Stalls New EU Sanctions Against Russia

EU Sanctions on Russia Grinded by Druzhba Pipeline Disruption. That is how Russian oil supply has been interrupted through the Soviet-era Druzhba pipeline since January 27, 2026, has created an international rift, which Hungary and Slovakia have used to veto new EU sanctions on Russia and aid to Ukraine. 

This stalemate, during the fourth year of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, highlights the European energy dependency.

What is the Druzhba Pipeline? 

The friendship, as it is called in Russian, Druzhba, is 4,000 km long, traversed by West Siberia, through Belarus, Ukraine and into Central Europe, initially supplying about 1 million barrels per day (bpd) of oil 1 per cent of the world. 

It has been operating since 1964, supplying refineries in Germany, Poland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, and Ukraine until the majority of EU countries shut Russian oil down after the invasion of 2022. 

By the beginning of 2026, the flow to the exempt Hungary and Slovakia is averaged at 200,000 bpd through the southern branch through Ukraine.

Recent Damage 

On January 27, Ukraine did report Russian drone attacks on a pumping station in the Brody area and support equipment, stopping flow to the southern branches. Kyiv uses the threat of shelling as an excuse to slow down the rebuilding, and President Zelensky states that it is not a fast undertaking.

Russia, Hungary’s Viktor Orban, and Slovakia accuse Ukraine of not acting because of politics, both EU outliers have pro-Russian relations with reference to the increased alternative costs.

What was the reason behind the Geopolitical Fallout?

Hungary blocked the most recent round of Russia sanctions and Ukraine loan worth EUR90-106 billion, making it look like revenge against an oil blockade. Slovakia cut off emergency power supply to Ukraine, which is putting pressure on pro-Kyiv unity. 

Negotiations at the EU collapsed and the Croatian Adria pipeline was proposed as an alternative of 280,000 bdp at non-Russian tanker oil-tests pending with observers.

Energy Security Measures

None of the shortages that came off immediately: Hungary and Slovakia discharged strategic stocks; MOL refineries are based on Druzhba compatibility. 

US waivers permit Lukoil phase of crude into 2026, yet exemptions seek to phase-out by 2027.

Sanctions cuts March-April flows to India/Turkey, Ukrainian refinery strikes, and shadow fleet targeting compound US sanctions, increase Brent beyond 70/bbl to 60 forecasts. Most seaborne crude is sucked up by China, but output turns to a cut.

Adria tests might be finalizing supplies, breaking vetoes; EU regards anti-circumvention of previous packages. The saga of Druzhba underscores the issues of sanction enforcement, energy diversification requirements and intra-EU divisions during the Ukrainian war.