Strategic Energy Map

Gas pipeline

Brotherhood Pipeline System

Russia through Ukraine to Central Europe. Multiple parallel lines totaling ~28,000 km of pipe.

View on the live map →

Overview

Russia through Ukraine to Central Europe. Multiple parallel lines totaling ~28,000 km of pipe. Capacity ~100+ bcm/yr. Built 1967-1988. Transit through Ukraine has been the primary route for Russian gas to Europe. Transit agreement expired end of 2024.

Geopolitical context

The original artery of Soviet-European gas trade. Ukraine's role as primary transit state gave Kyiv leverage but also made it a target — Russia's 2006 and 2009 gas cutoffs to Ukraine disrupted European supply and accelerated EU diversification policies. Transit fees (~$1-2B/yr) were a significant revenue source for Ukraine. The transit agreement expired Dec 31, 2024, and Ukraine declined renewal, ending the last major Russia-to-Europe gas flow through its territory. This represents the final dismantling of the Cold War energy architecture and eliminates a key Russian economic lever over Central Europe.

Nearby