Ukrainian drone strikes have rendered the entire Druzhba oil pipeline inoperative and caused significant damage to Russian refineries, according to multiple reports on August 18th and 19th. The Ukrainian 14th UAV regiment conducted operations that destroyed a hub and pump station in Novonikolske, Tambov region, and previously targeted two pump stations in the Bryansk region. Separately, Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto reported on August 18th that Russia halted fuel supplies to Hungary following a Ukrainian strike on an oil pipeline, believed to be the Druzhba. Russian specialists are currently repairing a transformer substation critical to the pipeline, with no clear timeline for its resumption. In addition to the pipeline damage, the Rosneft refinery in Syzran and the Lukoil refinery in Volgograd suspended all operations due to heavy damages inflicted by drones on August 14th and 15th. Together, these refineries have an annual production output of over 21.5 million tons in oil products, as reported by Reuters and Moscowtimes. The extent of the damage to the Novonikolske facility was confirmed by satellite pictures showing large parts of the facility destroyed, according to one source. Earlier on August 18th, reports indicated ongoing UAV activity in Ukraine, with groups observed past Poltava and Kremenchuk, and a single UAV heading towards Kharkiv. Strategic aviation management points in the Russian Federation were also noted as active, with the confirmed rise of three Tu-95MCs from AE "Olenia" en route towards the Caspian region. One rocket carrier was also deployed into the Black Sea. Meanwhile, hundreds gathered in Kyiv's Independence Square on August 18th to honor artist and fighter David Chichkan, who was killed in combat with Russian forces. In a separate exchange, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump were noted to have discussed suits during an unspecified interaction, as captured by a social media user. Ukrainian forces had previously disrupted the Druzhba pipeline with strikes on the Unecha oil distribution station in Russia’s Bryansk region on August 12th and 13th.
