Ukraine did not allow inspection of the damaged Druzhba oil pipeline: what is known about the situation
4 March 09:55
Ukraine denied the European Union ambassador access to the damaged Druzhba oil pipeline. The decision was made for security reasons amid Russian attacks on energy infrastructure. This was reported by the Financial Times, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
Why the EU ambassador was not allowed to inspect the facility
European Union Ambassador to Ukraine Katarina Mathernova said that the Office of the President of Ukraine did not grant permission to inspect the damaged section of the Druzhba oil pipeline.
According to the publication’s sources, the Ukrainian side explained the refusal on security grounds, as energy infrastructure facilities are regularly targeted by Russian attacks.
In addition, the Ukrainian authorities did not organize a visit by other European diplomats to this facility.
The EU requested access for an independent mission
According to the Financial Times, during their visit to Kyiv, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa also asked the Ukrainian authorities to allow an independent mission to assess the damage.
However, this request was also rejected.
According to FT sources, such a mission could document the extent of the damage and show the process of infrastructure restoration.
What Ukraine says
A Ukrainian official close to President Volodymyr Zelensky denied accusations of procrastination.
According to him, technical specialists from the state-owned company Naftogaz have already provided European partners with evidence of damage to the oil pipeline.
He stressed that assessing the consequences of the strike takes time.
The extent of the damage after the Russian strike
Naftogaz CEO Serhiy Koretsky told the FT that the Russian attack caused a large fire at a tank containing 75,000 cubic meters of oil.
It took 10 days to extinguish the fire.
According to him, the following were damaged:
- oil storage tanks;
- power cables;
- transformers;
- the leak detection system.
One of the tanks that caught fire is considered the largest oil tank in Europe — its diameter is comparable to a football field.
Will transit be restored?
Ukrainian officials have also questioned the need to quickly restore the pipeline during the war.
According to one official, repairing the infrastructure that transports Russian oil to European countries may be impractical without a ceasefire agreement.
What happened to the oil pipeline
On January 27, 2026, targeted strikes by the Russian Federation damaged facilities at a key oil pumping station near Brody.
The technological and auxiliary equipment of the Druzhba oil pipeline, one of the largest oil transportation routes in Europe, was damaged.
