Naftogaz Signs MOL Deal for Border Fuel Storage
Naftogaz and MOL agreed on cross-border storage to secure supply amid 107 Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
Key points
- Naftogaz and MOL signed a memorandum to build fuel storage facilities near the Ukrainian-Hungarian border to secure supply routes.
- The agreement was reached at the Carpathian Economic Forum as part of the C8 Summit, aiming to diversify logistics amid security threats.
- Russia has conducted 107 large-scale attacks on Naftogaz facilities since early 2026, including recent missile strikes in Kharkiv and Poltava.
Ukrainian state oil and gas company Naftogaz has signed a memorandum with Hungarian partner MOL to construct fuel storage facilities near the shared border. Acting Chairperson Serhii Fedorenko stated that the move is a direct response to sustained Russian attacks on domestic energy infrastructure, necessitating the creation of external buffer capacity to ensure market stability.
According to reporting by rbc.ua, the agreement aims to diversify supply routes and reduce reliance on vulnerable internal assets. Fedorenko noted that securing storage outside the primary strike zone is critical for maintaining reliable fuel supplies for Ukrainian consumers while strengthening cross-border energy infrastructure.
Agreement Reached at C8 Summit
The memorandum with MOL was finalized during the Carpathian Economic Forum, which took place concurrently with the C8 Summit. Fedorenko acknowledged support from the Ukrainian government and credited the Naftogaz team for facilitating the agreement. The deal is part of a broader strategy to enhance energy security through international cooperation and logistical redundancy.
Security Context Drives Investment
The strategic shift is driven by severe threats to Naftogaz’s operational assets. Since the beginning of 2026, Russia has executed 107 large-scale attacks on the group’s facilities, with a primary focus on gas production infrastructure. This persistent targeting has forced the company to prioritize the development of resilient, geographically dispersed storage solutions.
Recent escalations include a May 29 attack that caused significant damage to oil and gas infrastructure in the Kharkiv and Sumy regions. Additionally, between June 26 and 27, Naftogaz facilities in the Poltava and Kharkiv regions came under fire from at least four ballistic missiles, some equipped with cluster warheads, and multiple strike drones. These events underscore the urgency of the new storage arrangements.
