Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has accused Ukraine of disrupting energy supplies and ordered soldiers to guard key energy facilities across Hungary.
Orban claims Kyiv imposed an “oil blockade” by delaying the reopening of the Druzhba pipeline, the main route carrying Russian oil to Hungary and Slovakia. Oil shipments through the pipeline have stopped since 27 January. Ukraine says Russian strikes caused the closure, but Orban insists the suspension is political.
The Hungarian leader warned that Ukraine could take further steps to disrupt Hungary’s energy system. In response, he deployed troops to energy stations, ordered police patrols at power plants, and banned drones near Hungary’s north-east border with Ukraine.
Orban recently vetoed a €90bn EU loan package for Ukraine and blocked the latest round of sanctions against Moscow. Critics say he has intensified his rhetoric ahead of Hungary’s April elections, where his Fidesz party trails in opinion polls.
Ukraine has targeted Russian oil infrastructure in recent weeks, including sections of the Druzhba pipeline inside Russia. A recent drone strike reportedly reduced Russian oil intake by around 250,000 barrels per day.
At the same time, Ukraine faces severe power shortages due to Russian attacks on its energy grid. It has increased electricity imports from European countries, including Hungary and Slovakia. Both nations have warned they could halt emergency power supplies if oil deliveries are not restored.
However, European Union officials say Hungary and Slovakia are not at immediate risk of oil shortages. Non-Russian crude is reaching both countries through the Adria pipeline, which has enough capacity to meet demand.
Ukraine has not responded publicly to Orban’s latest accusations.
