Russian officials, citing Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, asserted that Ukrainian forces struck oil facilities in the Saratov and Ryazan regions. The accusation framed the strikes as a violation of any nascent agreement to curb attacks on energy infrastructure.
In response, Ukrainian officials rejected the Russian narrative, stating that no oil refineries had been hit. Advisor Dmitry Litvin characterized the allegations as a fabrication, insisting that the reported attacks never occurred.
Alexander Novak, serving as Russia’s Vice Prime Minister, repeated the claim that the Kyiv regime had attacked two refineries in Saratov and Ryazan. He linked the alleged strikes to a broader lack of Ukrainian willingness to observe an energy truce.
The announcement set the stage for subsequent diplomatic exchanges and accusations.
Dmytro Litvin, an advisor to President Volodymyr Zelensky, dismissed the Russian statements as fake news. He emphasized that while data centers had been successfully targeted, oil refineries remained untouched.
Reiterating the denial, Ukrainian spokespeople said the accusations of refinery strikes were baseless and part of a disinformation campaign. They maintained that the only successful Ukrainian actions had been against data‑center targets.
Aleksey Novak, also a Russian Deputy Prime Minister, argued that Ukraine’s conduct demonstrated no progress toward the proposed energy ceasefire. He used the alleged refinery attacks as evidence of Kyiv’s unwillingness to de‑escalate.
A Russian ballistic missile attack on Kyiv. Once again, no early warning from our partners. The main target was energy infrastructure, specifically CHPP-4. Unfortunately, it was hit. A residential building was also damaged, and rescuers are currently putting out a fire there. Our systems detected these missiles only when they were already virtually on approach to Kyiv. CHPP-4 is one of Kyiv’s key energy facilities. According to our intelligence, the Russians are preparing further ballistic missile launches. The facts show that the Russians do not consider themselves bound by what the President of the United States said. Ukraine supported an energy ceasefire. Russia is targeting yet another power plant and the lives of our people. And this is absolutely unjust: when they are destroying our energy infrastructure, and Ukraine is not even receiving early warnings about ballistic missile launches. It is important that the world does not stay silent about this. And it is important that the United States really see what is happening and who is responsible for this war continuing. Please stay safe tonight and tomorrow. We are working to replenish our air defenses with anti-ballistic missiles.
On 2026‑10‑11, US President Donald Trump unveiled a proposal for a ceasefire specifically aimed at halting attacks on energy facilities. The announcement set the stage for subsequent diplomatic exchanges and accusations.
The following day, 2026‑10‑12, Washington signaled that it might restrict future arms transfers to Kyiv. The warning was presented as a lever to encourage compliance with the energy truce framework.
Also on 2026‑10‑12, Ukrainian officials said they had carried out strikes against Russian energy infrastructure. The statement contrasted with Moscow’s allegations about refinery hits and highlighted the tit‑for‑tata nature of the conflict.
On 2026‑10‑14, Kyiv issued a formal rebuttal to the Russian accusations of refinery attacks. The denial reiterated that no such strikes had taken place and labeled the reports as misinformation.
Also on 2026‑10‑14, Russian officials restated their position that Ukraine had attacked two refineries. They cited the alleged strikes as proof that Kyiv was not honoring the energy truce.
In a final note on 2026‑10‑14, Moscow reiterated the accusation that Ukrainian forces had targeted oil facilities. The repeated claim underscored the ongoing dispute over responsibility for the alleged attacks.