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FormerPresident Trump remarked this past Sunday that he is not seriously planning supplying Ukraine with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. In response to a query by a reporter aboard his plane, he responded, “No, not currently.” Recent reports had claimed the Pentagon told the White House that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow this transfer.

Ukrainian Military Efforts Continue Despite Missile Lack

Although Ukrainian forces has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range attacks against Russian targets, it has nonetheless managed to conduct a effective campaign using its own drones and missiles against Russian military and strategic objectives, including oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack hit the port facility on the coast, causing a blaze and harming two ships, according to Moscow officials. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be shut down.

Turkish Oil Plants Shift to Alternative Crude Supplies

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are boosting procurement of alternative crude in response to the recent western sanctions on Moscow, according to industry insiders. Turkey is a major buyer of Russian crude, together with Beijing and India, but processing companies are following New Delhi's example in cutting back imports.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Diversifies Oil Procurement

One of the largest Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azeri firm SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other alternative producers for December delivery, as per sources. These purchases represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian crude, varying by shipment volume. In contrast, Russian crude accounted for virtually the entirety of the plant's supply in recent months, amounting to about 210 thousand barrels per day, based on trade data. SOCAR declined to comment.

Tupras Also Boosting Non-Russian Purchases

Another major Turkey's refiner – Tupras refinery – was additionally increasing acquisitions of non-Russian types of crude, as stated by two insiders. Tupras was also expected to soon completely phase out Russian crude at a key facility of its two major domestic plants to continue petroleum shipments to the EU without violating the EU’s upcoming restrictions. Tupras declined to comment to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has sent elite troops to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an intense Moscow's offensive comprising thousands of troops, as stated by Kyiv’s top commander. The city, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a major logistical route for the Kyiv's army and has been under Moscow’s crosshairs for more than a twelve months as Moscow pushes to control the whole east Donetsk region.

Latest Developments in the City

At least two hundred Russian troops had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Kyiv said recently, while analysts concluded that others were advancing on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his evening address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Announces Enhanced Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for more air defences to hold off Moscow's attacks, stated on Sunday that the country had strengthened its air defense capabilities with Germany’s support. “We have strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot component of our national air defense,” he declared, referring to the advanced American air-defence systems. Not providing additional details, the Ukraine's president specifically thanked Berlin and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for gratitude.

Moscow's Strikes Kill Civilians, Cut Electricity

Moscow's drones and rockets targeting Ukraine took the lives of at least six people, among them 2 minors, and disrupted electricity to thousands of households, officials reported on this past Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the representatives of the country's prosecutor general. The children were two boys of ages 11 and fourteen, stated the nation's ombudsman. The strikes disrupted power to the entire eastern Donetsk area as well as nearly 58 thousand homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. Ukraine’s Vostok army group said a number of its personnel were killed in a particular of the enemy strikes on the region.