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

Ukrainian drones on Thursday hit more Russian oil facilities and set two oil tankers ablaze in the Sea of Azov, a day after US President Donald Trump pledged to grant Ukraine a license to manufacture the Patriot air defence systems.

Ukraine’s strikes on oil refineries and other infrastructure across Russia has triggered a widespread fuel crisis, with gasoline shortages and fuel rationing reported in multiple regions and drivers waiting for hours to fill their tanks.

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 Gov Vitaly Korolyov.

And in the southern Stavropol region, Gov Vladimir Vladimirov said oil reservoir has been set ablaze by Ukrainian drones in Vyazniki. He said the authorities ordered the evacuation of residents of several apartment buildings near the facility as the fire expanded. In the Sea of Azov, Ukrainian drones set two oil tankers ablaze, according to Rostov Gov Yuri Slusar, who said that one of the ships was still burning and the crews were evacuated. The attack was the latest in a series of strikes on oil tankers in the area in recent days, part of Ukraine's efforts to cut fuel supplies to Russia-occupied Crimea.

Russia’s Defence Ministry said that air defences downed 73 Ukrainian drones from late Wednesday until early Thursday.