Exclusive: Russia to Stop Kazakhstan's Oil Shipments to Germany via Druzhba

• Kazakhstan exported 2.146 million metric tons (approximately 43,000 barrels per day) of oil to Germany via Druzhba in 2025, a 44% increase from 2024
• Germany's PCK refinery in Schwedt has relied on Kazakh crude via this pipeline since Russian oil deliveries stopped in 2022 following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine
• The pipeline route through Russia and Poland has faced repeated interruptions from Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian territory

Summary: Russia to Halt Kazakhstan Oil Exports to Germany via Druzhba Pipeline

Key Development:

Russia will halt Kazakhstan's oil shipments to Germany through the Druzhba pipeline effective May 1, 2025, according to three industry sources. Updated export schedules have been sent to both Kazakhstan and Germany.

Volume Impact:

Kazakhstan exported 2.146 million metric tons of oil to Germany via Druzhba in 2025, equivalent to approximately 43,000 barrels per day—a 44% increase from 2024 levels.

Pipeline Route:

The affected shipments travel through the northern spur of the Druzhba pipeline, which crosses Poland before reaching Germany.

Strategic Context:

This move comes amid deteriorating Russia-Germany relations over the Ukraine conflict, which Berlin actively supports. In 2022, Germany placed local units of Russia's largest oil producer, Rosneft, under trusteeship, effectively ending decades of energy cooperation between the two nations.

The pipeline has already experienced multiple disruptions due to Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian infrastructure.

Key Affected Infrastructure:

Germany's PCK refinery in Schwedt—one of the country's largest refineries—partially depends on Kazakh crude transported via this route. The facility has relied on Kazakh supplies since Russian oil deliveries ceased following Moscow's 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

Market Implications:

This disruption further strains European energy security and forces Germany to seek alternative crude sources. The halt underscores Russia's continued willingness to leverage energy infrastructure as geopolitical leverage, potentially tightening European oil markets and affecting refining operations in northeastern Germany.

Russia's energy ministry has not yet commented on the decision.