Transit of Russian oil through Ukraine fell to a new low – 9.7 million tons in 2025

In 2025, Ukraine transported around 9.73 million tons of Russian oil via the southern branch of the Druzhba oil pipeline, according to ExPro data. The data is published in ExPro Gas&Oil Monthly.

Compared to the previous year, Russian oil transit volumes decreased by 14%, from 11.36 to 9.73 million tons. This is also the lowest level at least since 2014, and likely for the entire period of Ukraine’s independence since 1991.

Reasons for the decline

The further decline in Russian oil transit volumes is linked to two factors. First, the Czech Republic fully stopped purchasing Russian oil in March, which led to the suspension of transit to the Czech Republic in early March 2025. Throughout 2025, deliveries via Druzhba to the Czech Republic amounted to only 0.52 million tons, five times less than in 2024 (2.7 million tons).

Second, Russian oil transit remained unstable throughout the year, and in some months volumes fell to decade lows. For example, in August 2025, transit amounted to only 430 thousand tons. Ukraine carried out attacks on oil pumping stations on Russian territory, which affected crude oil transportation volumes from Russia to Europe.

Who buys Russian oil?

The largest volumes of Russian oil in 2025 were delivered to Slovakia at nearly 4.9 million tons, 24% more than in 2024. In addition, 4.35 million tons of oil were transported to Hungary, 8% less than last year.

As a result of Ukraine’s sanctions against Lukoil in 2024, Hungarian MOL Nyrt. became the new shipper of transportation services from September 9, 2024, purchasing Russian oil at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border.

Transit of Russian oil through Ukraine continues in 2026. As a reminder, the transit contract expires at the end of 2029.

At the same time, on January 27, Russia attacked the infrastructure of the Druzhba oil pipeline in the Lviv region, which likely led to a suspension of transit.

More details on oil transit volumes, oil production, and trade in oil and condensate in Ukraine are available in the monthly ExPro Gas&Oil Monthly reports, which are accessible by subscription.