Ukrainian drone strikes halt pumping on Druzhba pipeline
The Russian Druzhba oil pipeline has ceased pumping crude oil following a series of Ukrainian drone attacks.
According to RBC-Ukraine, which cited Robert Brovdi ("Madyar"), the commander of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, the pipeline is taking a break.
"Pumping has been completely halted indefinitely," the commander stated.
"Madyar" added that the Nikolskoye oil pumping station in the Tambov region was destroyed by soldiers from the 14th Regiment.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine confirmed that on the night of 18 August, Unmanned Systems Forces struck the Nikolskoye station. The strike caused a fire and pumping through the Druzhba main pipeline was completely halted.
The pumping station is part of Russia's economic infrastructure, and provides supplies for its forces.
The Druzhba is one of the world's largest and most powerful oil pipelines, with a capacity of two million barrels per day. Russian oil used to reach European countries through this pipeline.
Fires and explosions at Russian refineries
Ukraine’s defence forces have been systematically striking Russia's fuel infrastructure.
On 4 August, a major fire broke out near an oil depot in Azov, in the Rostov region. Earlier, Ukrainian drones also hit other Russian fuel storage facilities, particularly in the Tambov region and the Republic of Adygea.
Another oil facility burned in the Rostov region.
At the end of June, President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukrainian drones had already struck more than 30 refineries, terminals, and oil depots in Russia.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
