Delivery of Oil Resumes via Druschba Pipeline at 2:00 AM, Confirmed by Social Democrat on Facebook

Ukraine has resumed the transit of Russian crude oil through its section of the Druzhba pipeline, marking a significant development in regional energy infrastructure after months of disruption.

The resumption of flows was confirmed by Ukrainian officials and reported by multiple international news outlets on April 22, 2026, following a halt that began after a Russian drone strike damaged the pipeline in western Ukraine.

According to reports from Reuters, CNN, NBC News, and other verified sources, Russian oil began flowing through the Ukrainian segment of the Druzhba pipeline on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, after a prolonged interruption that had affected oil supplies to Hungary and Slovakia.

The Druzhba pipeline, one of the longest oil pipeline systems in the world, has served as a critical conduit for Russian crude exports to Central and Eastern Europe. Its Ukrainian section became a focal point of geopolitical tension after the damage disrupted deliveries to two European Union member states that remain heavily dependent on Russian energy.

Hungarian oil and gas company MOL confirmed that Ukraine had notified it of the resumption of crude oil deliveries via the pipeline. In a public statement, MOL indicated that the first shipments following the restart were expected to arrive in Hungary and Slovakia by April 23, 2026, at the latest.

The restoration of oil transit through Ukrainian territory carries implications beyond energy logistics. It coincided with a key financial development: the European Union’s approval of a 90 billion euro loan package intended to support Ukraine’s budget and maintain liquidity through 2026 and 2027.

EU ambassadors meeting in Brussels approved the loan shortly after the pipeline’s restart was confirmed. The 27 member states are expected to formally sign off on the package by the afternoon of April 24, 2026, according to reporting from Reuters and NBC News.

Hungary’s previous veto of the loan had been linked to concerns over delays in repairing the Ukrainian section of the Druzhba pipeline, which Budapest and Bratislava had argued were unnecessarily prolonged. Kyiv has consistently denied responsibility for any delays, attributing the interruption solely to the Russian drone strike.

The Druzhba pipeline has been described by energy analysts and news outlets as one of the most politically charged pieces of infrastructure in Europe due to its role in transporting Russian oil amid the ongoing conflict. Its operation is closely monitored not only for energy security reasons but also as an indicator of broader diplomatic and economic alignments in the region.

Both Hungary and Slovakia remain significantly reliant on Russian crude for their refineries and domestic energy needs. The resumption of flows alleviates immediate supply concerns for these countries while also removing a major obstacle to EU financial support for Ukraine.

As of April 24, 2026, no further disruptions have been reported in the operation of the Druzhba pipeline’s Ukrainian section. Monitoring continues by industry observers and government agencies involved in energy transit oversight across the region.