Ukraine Strikes Russian Pipeline Amid Diplomatic Tensions
Ukraine executed drone strikes on the Druzhba oil pipeline within Russian territory just before a historic meeting between President Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, reports 24brussels. The pipeline, which had been restored by August 19, was targeted again two days later.
Both operations were conducted by the Unmanned Systems Forces of Ukraine, under the leadership of Commander Robert Brovdi, known by his call sign “Madyar,” which reflects his Hungarian ethnicity.
Brovdi publicly announced the second strike via Telegram, invoking the Hungarian battle cry, “Ruszkik haza!” which translates to “Russians go home,” a historical nod to the slogan of Hungarian freedom fighters who faced the Soviet army in 1956.
Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has sustained close relations with the Kremlin since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, expressed his dissatisfaction with Ukraine’s actions.
“Hungary supports Ukraine with electricity and petrol, in return they bomb pipeline that supply us. Very unfriendly move,” he remarked in correspondence to Trump.
Since Budapest was granted a temporary exemption from the European Union’s ban on Russian oil, its crude oil imports through the overland pipeline system have surged, allowing Hungary to realize substantial profits from discounted crude purchases.
Hungary has repeatedly threatened to veto any EU initiatives aimed at reducing dependency on Russian energy imports, reflecting its complex approach to energy security amid ongoing geopolitical conflicts.
