Ukrainian drones struck several Russian oil facilities on Thursday, setting off fires at fuel storage sites and igniting two oil tankers in the Sea of Azov, a day after US President Donald Trump said Ukraine would receive a license to manufacture Patriot air defense systems.
Ukraine has increasingly targeted Russian oil refineries, fuel depots and other energy infrastructure, contributing to fuel shortages and rationing in several Russian regions. Reports said long queues have formed at gas stations as drivers wait to refill their vehicles.
In western Russia, a Ukrainian drone attack sparked a fire at an oil depot in the city of Tver, according to acting regional Governor Vitaly Korolyov.
Another strike hit the southern Stavropol region, where Governor Vladimir Vladimirov said oil storage tanks caught fire in Vyazniki. Authorities evacuated residents from several nearby apartment buildings as the blaze spread.
In the Sea of Azov, Ukrainian drones set two oil tankers on fire, Rostov Governor Yuri Slusar said. He added that one vessel was still burning while the crews of both ships had been safely evacuated.
The attack was the latest in a series of Ukrainian strikes on oil tankers in the area, aimed at disrupting fuel supplies to Russian-occupied Crimea.
Russia's Defense Ministry said its air defense systems shot down 73 Ukrainian drones between late Wednesday and early Thursday.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's Air Force said Russia launched 94 long-range attack drones and two ballistic missiles overnight. It said Ukrainian forces intercepted or jammed 72 drones, but 19 drones and both missiles hit targets, causing damage at 13 locations.
The attacks came a day after Trump met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey.
Following the meeting, Trump said the United States would grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air defense systems, a long-sought capability that Kyiv hopes will strengthen its defenses against Russian missile attacks.
The meeting marked a sharp contrast to their tense encounter at the White House in February 2025. This time, Trump praised Zelenskyy for his efforts to seek an end to the war, saying the Ukrainian leader had "done an amazing job" and had "been very effective."