Slovak intelligence exposes terror threat to critical Druzhba oil pipeline

Hungarian authorities are on high alert following a warning from Slovakia regarding a potential terrorist plot targeting critical infrastructure, specifically the Druzhba (Friendship)  oil pipeline.

The Slovak Interior Minister, Matúš Sutaj Estok, disclosed on December 1 that intelligence agencies had uncovered activities indicative of preparations for a terrorist attack in the region, Caliber.Az reports per Hungarian media.

The threat involves an organized group operating in both Slovakia and Hungary, with reports suggesting reconnaissance around the Druzhba pipeline as part of the attack's planning.

The Druzhba oil pipeline, which transports Russian oil to Hungary, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia, has recently faced uncertainty. While Ukraine had threatened to shut down the pipeline, MOL, the Hungarian oil company, reached an agreement with suppliers and operators in September 2024, taking over control of Russian oil supplies at the Belarusian-Ukrainian border.

This pipeline, which runs over 4,000 kilometres from Russia to the European Union, is vital for the region’s energy supply, with Hungary and Slovakia each receiving a substantial portion of the oil.

The Slovak warning has sparked immediate attention in Hungary, where intelligence services were reportedly not caught off guard. Information sharing between Slovak and Hungarian intelligence agencies is routine and not influenced by political factors, ensuring that potential threats are addressed swiftly.

Zoltán Sas, Chairman of the Hungarian Parliamentary National Security Committee, highlighted that cooperation in tackling terrorism is a shared priority across Europe, transcending political differences.

In response, Hungarian authorities are now scrutinizing the available data to determine the specifics of the threat. The Counter-Terrorism Centre (TEK) and national security agencies are working together to assess whether there are any specific individuals or locations linked to the suspected attack. The goal is to neutralize any hostile activity at the earliest stages, potentially even before the attack is fully planned or carried out.

Sas also cautioned about the presence of foreigners in Hungary, noting that migration and terrorism are often linked, with intelligence operatives sometimes infiltrating refugee populations for covert purposes.

Despite the ongoing concerns, Sas reassured the public that the Druzhba oil pipeline is well-protected, and Hungary’s security forces would respond decisively to any threats.

József Horváth, a former deputy director-general of military and civil defence operations, supported the Slovak warning, stressing the importance of acting on credible intelligence. He pointed out that the potential threat is not merely speculative, and the identity of the perpetrators, along with their capabilities, must be carefully assessed.

As Hungary works alongside Slovakia and other European partners, the shared goal remains to safeguard critical infrastructure and prevent terrorist attacks on European soil. 

By Aghakazim Guliyev