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Ex-President Donald Trump indicated this past Sunday that he was not really planning providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. When questioned by a reporter aboard Air Force One, he responded, “No, not currently.” Earlier accounts had claimed the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to enable such a transfer.

Ukraine's Military Actions Continue Despite Missile Shortage

Although Ukrainian forces has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to carry out long-range strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless managed to conduct a effective campaign using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Moscow's armed and strategic targets, such as oil depots and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike struck the port facility on the coast, causing a fire and damaging two ships, according to Moscow authorities. Adjacent Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Alternative Oil Supplies

Ankara's largest oil refineries are increasing procurement of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest international restrictions on Moscow, according to industry insiders. Turkey is a significant purchaser of Russian crude, along with Beijing and New Delhi, but refiners are following New Delhi's example in reducing supplies.

STAR Plant Diversifies Crude Sources

A major Turkey's refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has lately acquired four cargoes of crude from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and other alternative producers for year-end arrival, according to insiders. These purchases amount to roughly tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian crude, varying by shipment volume. In contrast, Russian crude made up virtually all of the plant's supply in October and September, totaling approximately 210,000 bpd, based on market data. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Also Boosting Non-Russian Purchases

The other leading Turkey's oil processor – Tupras – was also increasing acquisitions of non-Russian types of crude, as stated by multiple insiders. Tupras was also expected to soon entirely eliminate Russian crude at one of its primary major domestic plants to continue petroleum exports to the EU without breaching the European Union's upcoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Sends Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has deployed elite troops to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an fierce Russian assault comprising a large number of soldiers, according to Ukraine's top military leader. Pokrovsk, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a major logistical line for the Kyiv's military and has been in Russia's sights for more than a year as Moscow pushes to control the entire eastern Donetsk region.

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No fewer than two hundred Moscow's soldiers had breached Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Ukrainian officials reported last week, while analysts concluded that others were advancing on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped movement. In his nightly speech on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the fighting in Pokrovsk and “results in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Announces Enhanced Air Defence System

The president, who has been urging his partners for more air defense systems to counter Russia’s attacks, stated on Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence network with Berlin's assistance. “We have boosted the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” he declared, mentioning the sophisticated U.S.-made defense systems. Without offering further details, the Ukrainian president singled out Germany and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Strikes Claim Civilians, Disrupt Electricity

Moscow's drones and rockets targeting Ukrainian territory killed at least six individuals, among them two minors, and cut power to thousands of households, authorities reported on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the office of Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The children were two boys of ages eleven and 14, stated Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. Russia’s strikes disrupted electricity to the entire east Donetsk area as well as almost 58,000 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. Ukraine’s Eastern army group confirmed a number of its members were killed in a particular of the enemy strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.