Latest News About Druzhba Pipeline

Here’s the latest on the Druzhba pipeline based on recent reporting.

• Restores flow to Europe after Ukrainian section restart: Russian oil began moving again through the Druzhba pipeline’s Ukrainian segment in late April 2026, enabling flows to Hungary and Slovakia and clearing obstacles to an EU loan package for Kyiv. This development followed prior disruptions from drone attacks and sanctions, which had reduced actual flows well below pipeline capacity.[1][2]

• EU loan linked to restart: The restart coincided with EU ambassadors approving a €90 billion loan to Kyiv, which Hungary had previously blocked but signaled it would no longer oppose after the restart and political changes in Kyiv’s leadership.[2][1]

• Context on pipeline capacity and past disruptions: Druzhba’s design capacity ranges from about 1.2 to 1.4 million barrels per day, with potential increases to around 2 million bpd, though actual flows have often been much lower due to sanctions, drone strikes, and maintenance needs.[1]

Notes and caveats:

• The Druzhba pipeline remains a geopolitically sensitive route, and flows can be volatile due to security, sanctions, and political decisions in the region.[2][1]
• If you’d like, I can pull the exact current flow rates and the latest official statements from EU and national energy ministries, or provide a brief timeline of key events since the restart.

Source citations:

• Restarts and EU loan linkage[1]
• Restart details and EU approval timeline[2]