Zelensky: Ukraine to keep hitting Russian refineries after Russia's 'new doctrine' of airstrikes

Mixed · 2Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Saturday 3 October that Ukraine will double down on attacking Russian oil refineries in response to a new Russian policy of airstrikes, but will not target civilians. 1 2 Mixed · 2Zelensky, speaking in an interview with Reuters, said Ukrainian intelligence had obtained documents showing that Russian President Vladimir Putin had issued a "new doctrine" allowing attacks on a much broader range of civilian targets ahead of winter, including infrastructure, logistics, roads, schools and hospitals, to pressure people to leave the capital and other cities. These claims are Zelensky's and have not been independently verified in the coverage. 3 2 Right · 1He said Putin was driven by a wish to appear strong while his military was losing ground in a key frontline region and suffering higher casualties. 1

Mixed · 2On the response, Zelensky said: "With their attacks on our energy, we have to respond on their energy. First of all, oil refiners: what gives money to them for this war," adding that Ukraine would not respond "just like them, on any civilian objects." 3 2 Mixed · 2The Kremlin was not available to comment. The Russian Foreign Ministry, in a statement urging foreign nationals and diplomats to leave Kyiv, said Russia's armed forces would continue to deliver massive retaliatory strikes and would systematically hit targets in response to Ukrainian attacks on Russia in recent months. 1 2 Mixed · 2Both sides deny deliberately targeting civilians. 1 2

Mixed · 2Over the past week Kyiv has come under persistent Russian drone and missile attack on energy, telecoms, road and rail infrastructure. For the first time, Russia has targeted the bridges over the Dnipro linking east and west Kyiv: the Southern Bridge was hit several times over two days, and Mayor Vitali Klitschko said the Northern Bridge was struck from the air on Saturday, injuring two people and damaging the road surface and trolleybus wires. 3 2 Right · 1Zelensky also said a Ukrainian counteroffensive code-named "Vivaldi" had recaptured about 140 sq km in the Donbas, and that Ukrainian officials say Russia has stockpiled hundreds of ballistic missiles for an expected winter assault on electricity and water infrastructure. 3 Right · 1The US President Donald Trump's administration is seeking to revive peace talks, and Trump last month urged Ukraine to stop hitting Russian oil installations, saying it was pushing up global diesel prices. Zelensky said he had no sign Russia wanted talks or an energy ceasefire, would meet Putin at a G20 summit in Miami in December, and urged Washington not to normalise relations with Russia before peace. 3

Right · 1Zelensky said Ukraine relies on F-16s and MiGs to down about 60% of Russian jet-powered Shahed drones but is short of 20 mm ammunition, with small cheap air defence missiles due in the second half of October. He also said Ukraine's FP-7 ballistic missile, with a range of about 250 km, saw its first combat use this week, and that a $27 billion defence budget gap was being addressed with European partners. 3 Centre · 1Separately, Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned the latest Russian attack on Kyiv and said five Russian air attack weapons, including missiles and drones, violated Moldovan airspace and exploded on its soil; Moldova summoned the Russian ambassador. 2