Four Russian refineries attacked: 'all repelled', says Novak; Zelensky thanks fighters 'for precision'

What both sides accept. Ukraine attacked Russian oil refineries on the night of 2 October. Russia's deputy prime minister, Alexander Novak, gave the number: four. Both reports we hold take that figure from him. We have no Ukrainian figure.

Where the accounts split. The two sides disagree on whether the attacks did anything.

Who carried what. Ziarul de Gardă, a Moldovan outlet, carries both men. It states the attack flat in its headline, then sources it to Novak in the body. Vedomosti, a Russian business daily, puts Novak's name on the claim in its headline: "Novak reported night attacks". It carries only his account.

What is NOT settled. - Whether any of the four refineries was hit. Novak says no. Zelensky's "precision" implies yes, but he does not say what was struck. - Which refineries they were, and where. Neither report names them. - Whether any fires, stoppages or casualties followed. Neither report says. - We hold no independent account, such as local officials, satellite images or the companies themselves.

What this is about. Ukraine is attacking oil refineries inside Russia with long-range drones. The two governments disagree on whether the latest strikes hit anything.

How it got here. Russia seized and annexed Crimea in 2014 and backed armed separatists in Ukraine's Donbas region. That year is when the war began. On 24 February 2022 Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Moscow calls it a "special military operation". The fighting has gone on since then. The Moldovan report we hold numbers this as day 1,682.

Ukraine has few ways to strike back at Russia's economy. Long-range drones flown hundreds of kilometres into Russia have become one of them. Since 2024, Ukraine has repeatedly targeted refineries, fuel depots and oil terminals. Kyiv presents these strikes as a response to Russian attacks on Ukraine. Moscow describes them as attacks on civilian infrastructure.

The actors. - Alexander Novak is a deputy prime minister of Russia. He oversees the energy sector, which makes him the government's voice on fuel and refining. - Volodymyr Zelensky is the president of Ukraine and commander-in-chief of its armed forces. - Russia's refineries turn crude oil into petrol and diesel for the domestic market, for exports and for the army.

What is at stake. Oil is Russia's largest source of export revenue and pays for much of the war. If refineries are damaged, Russia sells less fuel, and petrol can run short at home. If attacks are stopped, as Novak says, Russia's energy system holds. Each government has a reason to tell its own story. That is why neither claim can stand alone.

Where it stands. Both sides agree there was an attack. On 2 October the only public statement on the outcome was Russia's: no damage. Ukraine's only statement was a word, "precision". Nothing we hold settles which one is right.