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FormerPresident Donald Trump remarked on Sunday that he was not really considering supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a reporter on Air Force One, he answered, “No, not currently.” Recent reports had claimed the U.S. Department of Defense informed the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow this delivery.

Ukrainian Defense Actions Continue Without Weapon Shortage

While Ukraine has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to carry out long-range attacks against Russia, it has still managed to wage a effective campaign using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Moscow's military and key objectives, including fuel storage facilities and processing plants. On Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike hit the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a blaze and harming two ships, as stated by Russian officials. Adjacent airfields in the area also had to be closed.

Turkish Oil Plants Shift to Non-Russian Crude Sources

Turkey's largest oil refining facilities are increasing procurement of alternative crude in reaction to the latest western sanctions on Moscow, as reported by industry sources. The country is a significant purchaser of Russian crude, together with Beijing and New Delhi, but processing companies are following New Delhi's example in reducing imports.

STAR Plant Expands Oil Procurement

One of the largest Turkey's refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), owned by Azeri firm SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional non-Russian suppliers for December delivery, according to sources. These purchases amount to approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative crude, varying by cargo size. In contrast, oil from Russia accounted for virtually all of the plant's supply in recent months, totaling about 210,000 bpd, based on trade data. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Increasing Alternative Purchases

Another leading Turkey's oil processor – Tupras – was also increasing purchases of non-Russian types of crude, as stated by two insiders. The company was also expected to soon completely eliminate Russian crude at a key facility of its two major Turkish refineries to maintain fuel exports to Europe without violating the European Union's upcoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a request for comment.

Ukraine Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has sent elite troops to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an fierce Russian assault comprising a large number of soldiers, according to Ukraine's senior military leader. The city, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a major logistical line for the Ukrainian army and has been in Moscow’s sights for over a year as Moscow pushes to seize the entire eastern Donetsk area.

Latest Developments in the City

No fewer than two hundred Moscow's soldiers had penetrated the city's defences, Ukrainian officials reported last week, while military experts concluded that others were closing in on its outskirts in a encircling movement. In his evening address on Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the combat in the city and “successes in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Announces Strengthened Air Defence System

The president, who has been pushing his allies for more air defense systems to hold off Russia’s strikes, announced on this past Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air-defence network with Germany’s assistance. “We have boosted the Patriot element of our national air defense,” he said, referring to the sophisticated U.S.-made air-defence systems. Not providing additional details, the Ukraine's leader singled out Germany and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Russian Attacks Kill Innocents, Disrupt Electricity

Moscow's unmanned aircraft and rockets fired at Ukrainian territory killed no fewer than six individuals, among them 2 children, and cut electricity to tens of thousands of households, officials reported on this past Sunday. Moscow's military attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the office of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The children were male minors of ages 11 and 14, stated Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. Russia’s strikes disrupted power to the whole east Donetsk area as well as nearly 58,000 homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. Ukraine’s Eastern military unit said some of its members were killed in a particular of the Russian strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.