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

Ukrainian drones hit more Russian oil facilities and set two oil tankers ablaze in the Sea of Azov on Thursday, a day after US President Trump pledged to grant Kyiv a licence to manufacture the Patriot air defence 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.The Kremlin said the licence 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. Ukraine’s 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.Ukrainian President Zelensky 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.A Ukrainian drone strike triggered a fire at an oil depot in the western Russian city of Tver, according to acting governor Vitaly Korolyov. Oil reservoirs also were set ablaze by drones in Vyazniki, in the southern Stavropol region, said governor Vladimir Vladimirov. In the Sea of Azov, Ukrainian drones set two oil tankers on fire, according to Rostov governor Yuri Slusar. AP