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Ex-President Donald Trump indicated this past Sunday that he was not actively contemplating supplying Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a journalist aboard Air Force One, he responded, “No, not really.” Recent reports had indicated the Pentagon informed the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to enable this delivery.

Ukrainian Military Efforts Continue Despite Missile Shortage

While Ukraine has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to carry out far-reaching strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to wage a effective operation using its domestically-produced drones and rockets against Moscow's military and key targets, such as fuel storage facilities and refineries. On Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike hit the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a blaze and damaging two ships, as stated by Russian authorities. Adjacent airfields in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkey Oil Plants Turn to Non-Russian Crude Supplies

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are boosting purchases of alternative crude in reaction to the latest western sanctions on Russia, as reported by market sources. The country is a major purchaser of oil from Russia, together with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's lead in cutting back supplies.

STAR Plant Expands Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional non-Russian suppliers for year-end arrival, according to sources. This represent roughly tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian supply, depending on cargo size. In contrast, oil from Russia made up nearly all of the STAR refinery's supply in October and September, amounting to approximately 210 thousand bpd, based on market information. SOCAR refused to comment.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Buys

The other leading Turkish refiner – Tupras – was also raising purchases of non-Russian grades of crude, as stated by multiple sources. The company was furthermore likely to soon completely eliminate imports from Russia at a key facility of its primary major Turkish plants to maintain fuel exports to the EU without breaching the EU’s incoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a inquiry for a statement.

Ukrainian Sends Special Forces to Eastern City

Ukraine has deployed elite troops to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an fierce Moscow's assault involving thousands of troops, according to Kyiv’s top military leader. The city, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a major supply route for the Kyiv's military and has been in Russia's sights for over a twelve months as Moscow aims to seize the entire east Donetsk region.

Recent Updates in the City

No fewer than two hundred Russian soldiers had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defences, Ukrainian officials said recently, while analysts concluded that others were closing in on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his nightly speech on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the fighting in the city and “results in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defence Network

The president, who has been urging his allies for more air defense systems to counter Moscow's strikes, stated on Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air defense capabilities with Berlin's assistance. “We've boosted the Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defense,” he said, mentioning the advanced U.S.-made air-defence systems. Not providing further details, the Ukraine's leader specifically thanked Berlin and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Claim Innocents, Cut Electricity

Russian drones and rockets fired at Ukraine killed no fewer than 6 people, including 2 children, and disrupted power to thousands of households, officials said on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys of ages eleven and 14, stated Ukraine’s ombudsman. The strikes cut power to the whole east Donetsk region as well as nearly 58 thousand homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. Ukraine’s Eastern army group said a number of its members were killed in one of the Russian strikes on the region.