The «Druzhba» oil pipeline has sustained serious damage
Satellite images indicate a high probability of significant damage to the Druzhba oil pipeline as a result of a Russian strike. According to media reports, the extent of the damage could be substantial.
This is reported in an article by Texty.org.
Oil transit was suspended at the end of January 2026 as a result of a Russian attack. Hungary and Slovakia do not believe these claims and accuse Ukraine of artificially halting supplies.
Journalists analyzed satellite photos and assessed the likelihood of damage.
NASA’s FRIMS detected a fire occurring days after the Russian strike on January 27, 2026.
The publication also assessed the possible damage to the facility using an algorithm based on Sentinel-1. It confirms extensive damage to the facility as of January 27.
Important
The satellite image below is a standard base map, similar to what you see on Google Maps, and does not correspond to the specified date. The affected areas are marked in purple on the map.
"Due to the algorithm’s limitations, we cannot view damage for a specific day or week. However, for comparison, we checked January 2025. There is virtually no damage visible in last year’s image. Given that there were no major fires at the site during the year, it is logical to assume that most of the damage occurred on the day of the attack, January 27, 2026,” the authors noted.
Journalists noted that certain changes at the facility were recorded as early as 2025—without any accompanying fires, according to NASA data.
"We cannot explain their cause. It is worth recalling: the algorithm tracks not destruction per se, but significant changes in the condition of structures. Most such changes are indeed caused by destruction, but, for example, the installation of protective structures at the facility can also cause them," the article concluded.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is hearing for the first time about an EU mission to inspect the Druzhba oil pipeline.
Earlier it was reported that on Wednesday, March 18, European experts will visit the Druzhba oil pipeline in Ukraine. They are to assess the situation at the facility ahead of an important meeting of EU leaders regarding financial aid to Kyiv.
It was also reported that Ukraine has accepted EU aid to repair the Druzhba pipeline.
