Key Russian oil pipeline disabled ‘indefinitely’ / The New Voice of Ukraine

The Soviet-era Druzhba oil pipeline, which connects Russia to several European countries, has stopped pumping for an “indefinite period” after a Ukrainian drone strike damaged a key pumping station in Russia’s Tambov Oblast on Aug. 18.

Commander of Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces (USF) Robert Brovdi confirmed the attack was carried out by USF’s 14th Regiment.

“The Druzhba pipeline is resting,” he wrote in a Telegram post.

“Oil pumping is fully suspended for an indefinite term.”

On Aug. 13, explosions rocked the Unecha pumping station in Bryansk Oblast of western Russia. NASA satellite imagery captured a large fire at the facility, which is critical to the Druzhba network. Ukraine’s Defense Intelligence (HUR) sources told NV that the blasts were caused by a coordinated drone attack.

Earlier on Aug. 18, Ukraine’s General Staff stated that the Ukrainian military struck the Nikolskoe pumping station in Tambov Oblast. That station serves as key node on the Druzhba pipeline, which transports Russian crude westward into Europe.

Key Russian oil pipeline disabled ‘indefinitely’ after Ukrainian strike