Russian oil transit via Ukraine decreased to a minimum since 2014 - 11.4 million tons

In 2024, Ukraine transported about 11.36 million tons of Russian oil through the southern branch of the Druzhba pipeline, ExPro Crude Oil & Condensate Weekly reports. Compared to last year, the volume of Russian oil transit decreased by 16%. This is also the lowest level since at least 2014, and probably since Ukraine's independence in 1991.

Most of the Russian oil was supplied to Hungary in 2024 - more than 4.7 million tons, almost the same as in 2023. In addition, 3.9 million tons of oil were transported to Slovakia (-15%) and 2.7 million tons to the Czech Republic (-35%).

ExPro estimates that Ukraine will receive almost UAH 10 billion or $250 million for the transit of Russian oil in 2024. Ukraine received almost UAH 9.4 billion or more than $255 million for the transit of Russian oil.

While the transit of Russian gas through Ukraine ended on January 1, 2025, due to the expiration of the five-year contract, oil transit from Russia continues in January. The average daily transit volume in the first week of January amounted to about 34.9 thousand tons, 14% more than in December.

The agreement for the transportation of Russian oil was signed in 2019 and is valid until the end of 2029. As a result of Ukraine's sanctions against Lukoil in 2024, the Hungarian MOL Nyrt. became a new customer of transportation services on September 9, 2024, buying Russian oil at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border.

On January 7, 2025, MPs from the European Solidarity Party registered draft law No. 12380 “on the prohibition of oil and gas transit through the territory of Ukraine during martial law.”

At the same time, Ukraine's Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal noted that stopping oil transit would violate the Association Agreement with the EU, so Ukraine will not stop oil transit.

For more information on oil transit volumes, production, and trade of oil and condensate in Ukraine, please read ExPro Crude Oil & Condensate Weekly and ExPro Gas & Oil Monthly, available by subscription.