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FormerPresident Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he was not really considering supplying Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. When questioned by a reporter aboard Air Force One, he responded, “No, not really.” Earlier accounts had indicated the Pentagon told the White House that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow such a delivery.

Ukraine's Military Efforts Continue Despite Weapon Shortage

Although Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range strikes against Russian targets, it has still succeeded to conduct a effective operation using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Moscow's armed and strategic targets, including oil depots and refineries. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack targeted the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a fire and harming two vessels, as stated by Moscow authorities. Adjacent airfields in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkish Oil Plants Turn to Non-Russian Oil Supplies

Turkey's biggest oil refineries are increasing procurement of alternative crude in reaction to the recent western restrictions on Russia, as reported by market insiders. Turkey is a significant purchaser of Russian crude, along with China and New Delhi, but refiners are mirroring India's lead in cutting back supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Diversifies Crude Procurement

A major Turkey's refineries, the STAR refinery, operated by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple cargoes of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and other non-Russian producers for December arrival, according to sources. These purchases amount to roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of non-Russian supply, varying by shipment volume. In contrast, oil from Russia made up nearly the entirety of the STAR refinery's supply in October and September, amounting to about 210,000 bpd, based on trade information. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Buys

Another leading Turkish refiner – Tupras – was also increasing purchases of alternative grades of crude, according to two sources. The company was furthermore expected to soon entirely eliminate imports from Russia at one of its primary main Turkish refineries to maintain petroleum shipments to Europe without violating the EU’s incoming sanctions. The refiner declined to comment to a request for comment.

Ukrainian Sends Special Forces to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has sent special forces to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an intense Moscow's assault comprising a large number of soldiers, as stated by Ukraine's senior commander. The city, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a major logistical line for the Ukrainian army and has been under Russia's sights for over a twelve months as Moscow aims to control the entire east Donetsk area.

Latest Developments in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Russian soldiers had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Kyiv said last week, while military experts assessed that others were advancing on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his evening address on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the combat in the city and “results in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Reveals Enhanced Air Defence System

The president, who has been urging his partners for additional air defense systems to counter Moscow's strikes, announced on this past Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air defense capabilities with Germany’s support. “We have boosted the U.S.-made Patriot component of our national air defense,” Zelenskyy declared, mentioning the sophisticated U.S.-made air-defence systems. Without providing further details, the Ukrainian leader singled out Berlin and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for gratitude.

Russian Strikes Claim Civilians, Cut Power

Moscow's unmanned aircraft and rockets targeting Ukrainian territory killed no fewer than six people, including 2 minors, and cut electricity to thousands of households, authorities said on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the representatives of Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The victims were male minors of ages 11 and fourteen, stated the nation's ombudsman. The strikes disrupted electricity to the whole east Donetsk region as well as nearly 58,000 households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors said. Ukraine’s Vostok military unit confirmed some of its personnel were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.