Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban called an emergency meeting of the Defense Council following the discovery of explosive devices near the BalkanStream pipeline, which transports Russian gas to Europe.

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The Hungarian Prime Minister highlighted the importance of the pipeline for Hungary, as 60% of domestic gas consumption comes through it, in a context of energy crisis in Europe.

Orbán accused Ukraine of trying to cut off Russian energy supplies to Europe, including attacks on key pipelines like Nord Stream and Druzhba, as well as TurkStream, which poses a danger to Hungary’s energy security and national interests.

Orban contacted Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic to coordinate security. “An investigation is underway. I have convened an extraordinary defense council this afternoon,” Vucic announced on his social media.

Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced that sabotage was prepared in the Serbian section of the TurkStream pipeline supplying Hungary. Given the gas pipeline’s vital importance, Hungary is strengthening its protection and has ordered tighter military control over its Hungarian section.

Orbán consulted with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, thanking the Serbian authorities for their work. Serbia has strengthened the pipeline’s security, the investigation is ongoing, and the Hungarian authorities are in continuous contact with them.

Russian company Gazprom has reported an attempted Ukrainian drone attack on the Russkaya compression station, a key facility powering the TurkStream gas pipeline.

According to the company, the attack was repelled by the Russian Ministry of Defense without causing damage. This incident comes days after Gazprom reported another Ukrainian aggression attempt against the TurkStream infrastructure.

Following the sabotage of the Nord Stream pipelines, TurkStream has become the most important energy infrastructure for South-eastern Europe.

Inaugurated in 2020, this pipeline annually transports 31.5 billion cubic meters of gas through 930 kilometers under the Black Sea, reaching depths of up to 2,200 meters.

In this way, it ensures reliable energy supply for Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary. Any disruption to this route would be a catastrophic blow to the region’s energy security, which currently relies on this flow to maintain its industry and domestic heating amid current geopolitical tensions.

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