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Ex-President Donald Trump stated this past Sunday that he is not actively considering providing Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. In response to a query by a journalist on his plane, he replied, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier reports had claimed the U.S. Department of Defense told the administration that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were adequate to enable this delivery.

Ukraine's Defense Actions Persist Without Weapon Shortage

Although Ukrainian forces has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching strikes against Russia, it has still managed to conduct a successful operation using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Moscow's armed and strategic targets, including oil depots and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike targeted the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a blaze and damaging two ships, as stated by Moscow officials. Nearby Russian airports in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Crude Supplies

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are boosting procurement of non-Russian crude in reaction to the recent western restrictions on Moscow, according to industry sources. Turkey is a significant buyer of Russian crude, together with China and India, but refiners are mirroring India's example in reducing imports.

STAR Plant Diversifies Oil Sources

One of the largest Turkish refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), owned by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and additional alternative producers for December delivery, according to insiders. This represent roughly tens of thousands of barrels daily of alternative supply, varying by shipment volume. By comparison, Russian crude accounted for virtually all of the plant's supply in recent months, amounting to about 210 thousand barrels per day, based on market data. SOCAR refused to comment.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Increasing Alternative Purchases

The other leading Turkish oil processor – Tupras – was additionally increasing purchases of non-Russian types of crude, as stated by two insiders. The company was also likely to soon completely eliminate imports from Russia at a key facility of its two main domestic plants to continue fuel shipments to the EU without breaching the EU’s incoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukrainian Sends Special Forces to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has sent special forces to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an fierce Moscow's offensive involving a large number of soldiers, according to Ukraine's top military leader. The city, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a major logistical line for the Kyiv's army and has been under Russia's sights for over a twelve months as Russia pushes to seize the entire east Donetsk region.

Latest Developments in Pokrovsk

No fewer than 200 Moscow's soldiers had breached Pokrovsk’s defences, Kyiv said last week, while military experts assessed that additional forces were advancing on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped movement. In his nightly address on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the fighting in Pokrovsk and “results in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defense Network

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for more air defense systems to counter Moscow's attacks, stated on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air defense capabilities with Germany’s support. “We've boosted the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” Zelenskyy said, referring to the sophisticated U.S.-made air-defence systems. Not offering further information, the Ukrainian leader specifically thanked Germany and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Russian Attacks Kill Civilians, Disrupt Electricity

Moscow's unmanned aircraft and rockets fired at Ukraine took the lives of at least six individuals, among them two minors, and disrupted power to thousands of households, authorities reported on Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were male minors of ages 11 and 14, stated Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. Russia’s strikes cut electricity to the entire east Donetsk region as well as nearly 58,000 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. The Vostok army group confirmed a number of its personnel were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.