Ukrainian forces attempted to attack the Drushba pipeline near the town of Novosybkov in the Bryansk region, according to Russian media. The initial report was published by the Russian Telegram channel Mash.
The pipeline, located in the village of Mamai, was targeted on Monday at 4:30 am local time, with Ukrainian forces allegedly firing a “Peklo” drone missile, as reported by Mash.
Although the pipeline was not hit, a technical building on the site was partially destroyed in the attack, with no reported casualties, it was stated.
This section of the pipeline is the last pumping point before the border with Ukraine, from where the oil is delivered to Europe.
This is not the first attack on the infrastructure of the oil pipelines: On December 26, Ukrainian drones struck the Desna intermediate pumping station of the Transneft Drushba oil pipeline in the village of Desna, Bryansk region.
The oil pipeline is part of Europe’s critical energy infrastructure. It leads to the Belarusian city of Mozyr, where it splits into a northern and a southern branch. The northern branch brings Kazakh oil to Germany, as Russian oil is subject to sanctions, while the southern branch carries Russian oil to Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic.
Notably, the attack on the pipeline occurred after the Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico threatened to cut off power supplies to Ukraine, as the latter refused to transport Russian gas. Fico also wrote an open letter to the EU leadership, but it is unlikely that Brussels will react to it.
The pipeline was attacked by a new, Ukrainian-produced drone missile named “Peklo” (Hellfire), which has been in service with the Ukrainian army since December 6. According to the Ukrainian military, the drone boasts improved stealth capabilities, a range of up to 700 kilometers, and a speed of 700 kilometers per hour, with a 40-kilogram warhead.