Ukraine intensifies drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, forcing Moscow to ban Diesel exports

Jul 8, 2026

Ukraine has intensified its long-range drone campaign, striking major Russian refineries like Omsk and Ilsky alongside dozens of shadow fleet fuel tankers in the Sea of Azov. The strikes have crippled Russian refining capacity, forcing Moscow to ban diesel exports through July 31, 2026, and trigger rationing across 90% of Russian regions. Amid the escalation, US President Donald Trump pledged to license Ukrainian production of Patriot interceptors, while China reportedly warned Russia against nuclear retaliation.

Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries

▪Ukraine struck the independent Ilsky oil refinery in Russia's Krasnodar region and Novatek PJSC's Ust-Luga gas-processing complex on the Baltic coast.
▪Ukrainian drone strikes targeted the Saratov refinery, the NORSI refinery, and energy facilities in Tatarstan and Bashkortostan.
▪Ukrainian drone strikes hit the Omsk refinery in Siberia, forcing the facility to halt oil processing.

Russian fuel shortage crisis

▪More than 90 percent of Russian regions have introduced fuel rationing or reported shortages of petrol and diesel.
▪Russia temporarily banned diesel exports through July 31, 2026, to protect domestic fuel supplies following Ukrainian drone attacks.
▪Russian gasoline output fell to approximately 65 percent of the seasonal average consumption, creating a daily shortfall of 40,000 to 45,000 metric tons.

China warns Russia on nukes

▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that China issued an ultimatum-like warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin against using nuclear weapons in Ukraine.
▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters on July 9, 2026, that Chinese opposition to nuclear weapons use was directly reflected in Russian media discussions.

Sea of Azov tanker strikes

▪Ukrainian drone forces targeted specific Russian-linked tankers in the Sea of Azov, including Venera-3, Sanar-1, Sanar-17, Klimena, Thetis, Alexey Savrasov, and Penelopa.
▪Ukraine's military struck and set fire to at least 36 Russian vessels, including 32 shadow fleet tankers, in the Sea of Azov and Black Sea over a four-day period.

Patriot missile production license

▪Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that while a United States manufacturing license is a priority, no specific production dates have been established.
▪United States President Donald Trump pledged to grant Ukraine a license to manufacture Patriot air defense missile interceptors.