U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the United States will provide Ukraine with a license to manufacture Patriot air defense systems, a significant move aimed at bolstering Ukraine's defenses against ongoing Russian attacks. The agreement was reached on the sidelines of the NATO summit in Turkey, where Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Trump stated that the U.S. would "show them how to do it," expressing confidence that Ukraine could produce the systems quickly. This development comes as Ukraine has long sought enhanced air defense capabilities, particularly given the persistent Russian missile and drone strikes targeting its cities.
Zelenskyy emphasized that air defense remains a top priority for Ukraine. He indicated that Ukrainian and U.S. officials have initiated discussions on a drone deal, which he described as a "very good beginning." Ukraine aims to share details of its needs through the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), a program where European allies and Canada purchase American weapons to support Ukraine.
The meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy reportedly marked a warmer tone compared to a previous encounter in February 2025. Trump praised Zelenskyy's efforts to end the war and described their developing relationship as "good."
Russia continued its offensive operations across Ukraine on Wednesday, with drones and missiles killing four people. Kyiv experienced attacks before dawn and again midday, with explosions heard shortly after midnight. The early morning strike in Kyiv killed one woman and injured two others, damaging administrative buildings, warehouses, and a garage complex. Hours later, a drone attack in Kyiv's Desnianskyi district resulted in a second fatality and injured six others, bringing the total injured in the capital to eight.
In Kharkiv, overnight strikes claimed two lives and injured 20 people. In Zaporizhzhia, a Russian guided bomb injured two individuals on Tuesday night.
Ukraine's air force reported intercepting 139 of 169 long-range drones and seven missiles fired by Russia. However, five ballistic missiles and 20 drones reportedly reached their targets, striking 15 locations. Russia's Defense Ministry stated it targeted Ukrainian arms industry facilities, including a plant producing components for cruise missiles and a facility assembling drones.
In parallel, Ukraine conducted strikes on Russian oil refineries in the Saratov and Tatarstan regions, according to Zelenskyy. An attack in Russia's Saratov region killed one person and injured several others, damaging industrial facilities. In the Tatarstan region, Ukrainian drones reportedly damaged industrial facilities and injured several people in Nizhnekamsk. Russia's fuel supply situation remains strained, with restrictions on civilian fuel sales continuing in Crimea. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced a halt to all diesel exports until the end of July, joining existing bans on gasoline and jet fuel. Russian President Vladimir Putin described Ukraine's attacks on energy infrastructure as an attempt to provoke anxiety and damage the economy, goals he deemed "unachievable."