Kyiv: Ukrainian drones struck more Russian oil facilities on Thursday and set two oil tankers ablaze in the Sea of Azov, a day after US President Donald Trump pledged to grant Ukraine a licence to manufacture Patriot air defence systems.
Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure have triggered a widespread fuel crisis, with gasoline shortages and fuel rationing reported in several regions. Long queues were also reported at fuel stations as drivers waited for hours to refill their vehicles.
Early on Thursday, a Ukrainian drone strike triggered a fire at an oil depot in the city of Tver in western Russia, according to acting regional governor Vitaly Korolyov.
In the southern Stavropol region, Governor Vladimir Vladimirov said an oil reservoir in Vyazniki was set ablaze in a drone attack. Authorities ordered the evacuation of residents from several nearby apartment buildings as the fire spread.
In the Sea of Azov, Ukrainian drones set two oil tankers on fire, according to Rostov Governor Yuri Slusar. He said one of the vessels was still burning, while the crews had been evacuated.
The attack was the latest in a series of strikes targeting oil tankers in the region, part of Ukraine's efforts to disrupt fuel supplies to Russian-occupied Crimea.
Russia's Defence Ministry said its air defence systems intercepted or destroyed 73 Ukrainian drones between late Wednesday and early Thursday.
Ukraine's Air Force said Russia launched 94 long-range attack drones and two ballistic missiles overnight. It said 72 drones were intercepted or jammed, but 19 drones and both missiles struck 13 locations, causing damage.
During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey on Wednesday, Trump said the United States would grant Ukraine a licence to manufacture Patriot air defence systems to strengthen its ability to counter Russian missile attacks.
The move would mark a major boost for Kyiv, which has long sought access to the advanced air defence technology.
The tone of the meeting contrasted sharply with Trump's contentious meeting with Zelenskyy at the White House in February 2025, when the US president publicly criticised the Ukrainian leader.
On Wednesday, however, Trump praised Zelenskyy's willingness to pursue a peace agreement, saying he had "done an amazing job" and had "been very effective."