Ukrainian drones batter Russian oil facilities and set more oil tankers ablaze

By — Illia Novikov, Associated Press Illia Novikov, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/ukrainian-drones-batter-russian-oil-facilities-and-set-more-oil-tankers-ablaze Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Ukrainian drones batter Russian oil facilities and set more oil tankers ablaze World Jul 9, 2026 2:27 PM EDT KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian drones hit more Russian oil facilities and set two oil tankers ablaze in the Sea of Azov on Thursday, a day after President Donald Trump pledged to grant Kyiv a license to manufacture the Patriot air defense systems to protect its cities. A top Ukrainian official, meanwhile, cautioned that it could take a year or more for the country to produce Patriot interceptor missiles. WATCH: Trump says in Zelenskyy meeting that U.S. will allow Patriot missiles to be made overseas The Kremlin said the license deal reflected what it called Washington's "ambivalence" but noted it appreciated Trump's efforts to help broker a peace deal to end the war, which Russia launched over four years ago. Educate your inbox Subscribe to Here’s the Deal, our politics newsletter for analysis you won’t find anywhere else. Ukraine's drone strikes on oil refineries and other infrastructure across Russia have triggered a widespread fuel crisis with gasoline shortages and rationing in multiple regions and motorists waiting for hours to fill their tanks. Moscow has responded by intensifying its bombardment on Kyiv and other cities, exposing Ukraine's vulnerability to ballistic missile strikes. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the latest strikes on Russia's infrastructure as part of Kyiv's campaign of "long-range sanctions" carried out in response to Moscow's refusal to halt the fighting. READ MORE: Woman suspected of trying to kill tycoon in Monaco bombing found dead in Ukraine "We have long proposed that Russia end this war, and every day of delay should bring the feeling of war to where it all began — to Russia," Zelenskyy said. Ukraine hits oil depots in western Russia and tankers at sea A Ukrainian drone strike triggered a fire at an oil depot in the western Russian city of Tver, according to acting Gov. Vitaly Korolyov. Oil reservoirs also were set ablaze by drones in Vyazniki, in the southern Stavropol region, said Gov. Vladimir Vladimirov, forcing the evacuation of several apartment buildings near the facility. In the Sea of Azov, Ukrainian drones set two oil tankers on fire, according to Rostov Gov. Yuri Slusar, who said one of the ships was still burning and its crew evacuated. READ MORE: Russia's missile and drone attacks on Ukraine kill at least 22 in the Kyiv region The attack was the latest in a series of strikes on oil tankers in the area in recent days, part of Ukraine efforts to cut fuel supplies to the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014. In addition to strikes on oil facilities in Stavropol