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Ex-President Donald Trump indicated this past Sunday that he is not really considering sending Ukraine with advanced Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a journalist aboard Air Force One, he replied, “No, not really.” Earlier reports had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to enable this delivery.

Ukraine's Military Efforts Persist Despite Weapon Lack

Although Ukrainian forces has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range strikes against Russia, it has still succeeded to conduct a effective campaign using its domestically-produced drones and missiles against Moscow's military and strategic targets, such as fuel storage facilities and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack hit the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a blaze and damaging two ships, as stated by Moscow authorities. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Oil Sources

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are increasing purchases of non-Russian crude in response to the latest western sanctions on Russia, as reported by market insiders. The country is a significant buyer of oil from Russia, along with China and New Delhi, but refiners are following New Delhi's example in reducing supplies.

STAR Plant Diversifies Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkey's refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has lately purchased four cargoes of crude from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and additional alternative suppliers for December arrival, as per insiders. These purchases represent approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative crude, varying by shipment volume. In contrast, Russian crude accounted for virtually the entirety of the STAR refinery's supply in October and September, amounting to approximately 210 thousand bpd, according to market information. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Boosting Alternative Purchases

Another major Turkey's refiner – Tupras refinery – was also increasing acquisitions of alternative types of crude, according to two sources. Tupras was also expected to in the near future completely phase out Russian crude at a key facility of its primary main domestic refineries to continue fuel shipments to Europe without violating the EU’s incoming sanctions. The refiner declined to comment to a inquiry for a statement.

Ukrainian Sends Elite Units to Eastern City

Kyiv has deployed special forces to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an fierce Moscow's assault comprising thousands of troops, according to Kyiv’s top military leader. The city, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a key supply line for the Ukrainian military and has been in Russia's sights for over a year as Moscow aims to seize the whole east Donetsk area.

Recent Developments in the City

At least 200 Russian soldiers had breached the city's defences, Ukrainian officials said recently, while military experts assessed that others were advancing on its outskirts in a encircling maneuver. In his nightly address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “successes in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Announces Enhanced Air Defense System

The president, who has been urging his allies for more air defense systems to hold off Russia’s strikes, stated on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence capabilities with Germany’s assistance. “We've strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” he declared, mentioning the sophisticated American defense systems. Not offering additional information, the Ukraine's president singled out Berlin and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Russian Strikes Claim Innocents, Disrupt Electricity

Russian drones and missiles fired at Ukraine took the lives of at least six people, including 2 children, and disrupted electricity to tens of thousands of households, authorities reported on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys of ages 11 and 14, stated Ukraine’s ombudsman. Russia’s attacks disrupted electricity to the whole eastern Donetsk region as well as almost 58 thousand 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 strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.