world
Ukrainian Drones Hit Saratov Refinery While Trump Meets Zelensky and Offers Patriot Licenses
Ukrainian forces hit an oil refinery in Saratov on July 8 and struck Russia's largest refinery days earlier. President Trump, seated beside Volodymyr Zelensky in Ankara, pledged to license Patriot missile production to Kyiv. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte called the leaders' gathering historic.
Jul 18, 3:00 PM·1m read1 source
Audio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Ukrainian drones struck an oil refinery in Saratov, Russia, on July 8, knocking out its only primary refining unit and forcing a shutdown, The Hill reported. Days earlier, Ukraine struck the Omsk refinery, Russia's largest. In a single night, Ukrainian forces also hit nine tankers from the sanctions-evading shadow fleet, the Dzhankoi airbase in Crimea, and Port Krym in Kerch.
President Trump sat next to Ukraine's leader Volodymyr Zelensky during the leaders' gathering in Ankara. The Hill reported that Trump repeatedly used the word "settlement" at the meeting. He also promised to license Patriot missile production to Kyiv.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described the upcoming summit in Ankara as a "historic" gathering. On July 4, 2026, Trump delivered a speech marking 250 years of American independence. Kyiv marked the occasion by lighting the Mother Ukraine statue in the stars and stripes.
