Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár criticized recent Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s Druzhba oil pipeline, saying they threaten Slovakia’s national interests and bring little benefit to Ukraine.
Ukraine attacked Druzhba pumping stations in Russia’s Bryansk region twice this month, on Aug. 13 and Aug. 21, and hit another station in Nikolskoye, halting pipeline operations. Oil deliveries to Hungary were stopped three times in August as a result.
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Sources in Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence Directorate (HUR) told Kyiv Post the HUR carried out the operation in cooperation with other Defense Forces units.
Blanár spoke on JOJ TV’s Politika 24 program on Sunday, saying the Slovnaft refinery in Bratislava processes Russian oil delivered via Druzhba into gasoline and diesel.
“This infrastructure is very important for us,” he said. “Especially when we see that Ukraine itself is harming its own interests and risks being left without enough fuel on its territory.”
Slovnaft supplies about 10% of Ukraine’s monthly diesel needs, Blanár noted. He said he had discussed the issue with Ukraine’s Deputy Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha, who acknowledged the concern and promised to communicate further.
Blanár is scheduled to speak on Aug. 25 with Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration to stress Slovakia’s position on the strikes.
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The minister also recalled that the European Union declared energy infrastructure “untouchable” in January and urged all parties – including Russia and Ukraine – to respect it.
“Only a peaceful resolution of the war in Ukraine can stop mutual attacks on energy infrastructure,” Blanár said. “This includes strikes from Ukraine on Russian facilities and vice versa.”
Hungary and Slovakia have filed complaints with the European Commission over the strikes. US President Donald Trump also reportedly told Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán he was “very angry” about Ukraine’s actions.
Blanár emphasized the need to end the war and start peace talks to protect critical infrastructure. “We understand this is difficult for Ukraine, but this infrastructure is crucial for Slovakia and for regional fuel security,” he said.
2025 Strikes Cost Russia $74 Billion
According to Ukraine’s General Staff, strikes on Russian enterprises and infrastructure in 2025 have inflicted losses estimated at $74 billion – roughly 4% of Russia’s GDP.
Nearly 80% of confirmed targets have been oil and gas facilities: 42% refineries, 37% storage depots, and the remaining were logistics hubs such as pumping stations and export terminals.
Most strikes hit targets 500-1,000 km from Ukraine’s borders (39%), with a similar proportion within 500 km, and 10% at depths of over 1,000 km. The General Staff did not disclose the weapons used.