German analysis: without Hungary’s help, Ukraine’s military would be paralyzed

Ukrainian armoured vehicles and tanks can only function and carry out attacks against the Russian invaders because they receive sufficient Hungarian and Turkish fuel. Interestingly, the raw material for the product comes from Russia and fuel is produced in Hungarian and Turkish refineries. Without that help, Ukraine’s army would not be able to move, a German analysis has stated recently.

According to index.hu, Ukraine’s military potential depends greatly on Hungarian fuel import. Based on an analysis of the German Handelsblatt, Ukraine only has one operating refinery in Kremencuk. However, that can only make 30 percent of the country’s fuel consumption. There are five more refineries in Ukraine, but none of them were operational even before the start of the Russian invasion. Furthermore, the Russian military hit the Kremencuk facility last April, so it often malfunctions.

Therefore, Ukrainians are in a challenging situation since they need import to move their tanks and armoured vehicles. Handelsblatt used the data of the Ukrainian customs agency. They said that Hungarian and Turkish diesel export guarantees the Ukrainian army’s undisturbed operation.

Meanwhile, both countries receive the raw material from Russia, so Ukrainians operate their army with Russian oil. One of the biggest helpers is Hungary’s MOL, which doubled its export to Ukraine in the last six months.

The German newspaper added that this is only possible because of MOL’s competitive advantage in Europe since they can acquire Russian crude oil despite the EU sanctions. The exemption was the success of the Hungarian government, and it will last at least until 2024. Meanwhile, countries not relied on Russian oil can provide less and less fuel products for Kyiv.

Handelsblatt highlighted that Hungary’s global position is crucial concerning fuel and crude oil. MOL can process Russian crude oil coming via pipelines, so their fuel is cheaper. The Russian Urals type is cheaper than the Western Brent type crude.

Michal Paszkowski, an analyst of the Polish Institute of Central Europe, told the German newspaper that the fuel arriving in Ukraine goes via Poland by railway. Furthermore, Hungary and Slovakia transmit it via pipelines and Romania by sea and railway. Index asked MOL how much fuel they export to Ukraine but has received no answer.

Keen to learn more about the war and Hungary? HERE is an article about the Hungarians fighters in the Ukrainian army. Meanwhile, in THIS article, you can read about a Hungarian teenager who was forcibly recruited as a soldier in Ukraine.