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Ex-President Trump remarked on Sunday that he is not really considering sending Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a reporter on Air Force One, he replied, “No, not currently.” Recent reports had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow this delivery.

Ukraine's Defense Actions Persist Without Weapon Lack

Although Ukrainian forces has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to carry out long-range strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless managed to conduct a effective operation using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Russian armed and strategic objectives, such as fuel storage facilities and refineries. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack struck the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a fire and damaging two ships, according to Moscow authorities. Adjacent Russian airports in the region also had to be closed.

Turkish Oil Plants Turn to Alternative Oil Supplies

Ankara's largest oil refining facilities are boosting procurement of alternative crude in response to the latest international restrictions on Russia, according to market insiders. Turkey is a significant buyer of Russian crude, together with Beijing and New Delhi, but refiners are mirroring New Delhi's lead in cutting back supplies.

STAR Refinery Diversifies Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkish refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azeri firm SOCAR, has lately acquired four cargoes of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and additional alternative suppliers for December arrival, as per insiders. These purchases amount to approximately tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of alternative supply, varying by cargo size. By comparison, oil from Russia accounted for nearly the entirety of the plant's crude intake in recent months, totaling about 210,000 bpd, according to trade data. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Tupras Also Increasing Non-Russian Purchases

Another leading Turkey's oil processor – Tupras refinery – was also raising acquisitions of alternative types of crude, according to multiple insiders. The company was also expected to in the near future completely phase out imports from Russia at a key facility of its two major domestic refineries to maintain fuel shipments to Europe without violating the EU’s upcoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukrainian Sends Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has deployed special forces to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an intense Moscow's offensive involving thousands of soldiers, according to Ukraine's top military leader. Pokrovsk, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a major logistical route for the Kyiv's military and has been under Moscow’s crosshairs for more than a year as Moscow aims to control the whole eastern Donetsk area.

Latest Developments in the City

No fewer than 200 Russian soldiers had breached Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Ukrainian officials reported last week, while analysts concluded that others were advancing on its perimeter in a encircling movement. In his evening speech on Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defence Network

The president, who has been urging his allies for more air defences to counter Moscow's strikes, announced on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air defense network with Germany’s assistance. “We've strengthened the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defence,” he said, mentioning the sophisticated U.S.-made defense systems. Without offering further details, the Ukraine's leader singled out Berlin and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Innocents, Disrupt Electricity

Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles fired at Ukrainian territory took the lives of at least 6 individuals, among them two minors, and cut electricity to thousands of residents, authorities reported on Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The children were two boys of ages eleven and fourteen, said the nation's ombudsman. The attacks disrupted electricity to the whole eastern Donetsk area as well as almost 58,000 households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Vostok army group confirmed a number of its members were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on the region.