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Ex-President Trump stated this past Sunday that he is not seriously contemplating sending Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. When questioned by a journalist on Air Force One, he responded, “No, not currently.” Earlier accounts had suggested the Pentagon informed the administration that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to enable such a delivery.

Ukrainian Military Actions Persist Without Weapon Lack

While Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range strikes against Russian targets, it has nonetheless succeeded to conduct a effective operation using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Moscow's armed and key objectives, including fuel storage facilities and processing plants. On Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike struck the port facility on the coast, causing a blaze and harming two vessels, as stated by Russian authorities. Nearby Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkish Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Crude Supplies

Ankara's largest oil refineries are boosting procurement of alternative crude in response to the recent international sanctions on Moscow, as reported by industry insiders. The country is a significant purchaser of Russian crude, along with Beijing and India, but processing companies are following New Delhi's lead in cutting back supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Diversifies Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, the STAR refinery, owned by Azeri company SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other non-Russian suppliers for December arrival, as per insiders. This represent roughly tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian supply, varying by shipment volume. In contrast, Russian crude made up nearly all of the STAR refinery's crude intake in recent months, totaling approximately 210 thousand bpd, according to trade information. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Buys

Another leading Turkey's refiner – Tupras refinery – was also increasing acquisitions of alternative types of crude, as stated by two sources. The company was also expected to in the near future completely phase out imports from Russia at a key facility of its primary main Turkish plants to continue petroleum shipments to the EU without violating the European Union's upcoming sanctions. Tupras declined to comment to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Sends Elite Units to Eastern City

Kyiv has deployed elite troops to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an intense Moscow's assault involving thousands of soldiers, according to Ukraine's senior military leader. The city, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a major supply route for the Kyiv's army and has been under Moscow’s sights for more than a year as Russia pushes to control the whole eastern Donetsk region.

Recent Developments in the City

At least two hundred Moscow's soldiers had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defences, Ukrainian officials reported last week, while analysts concluded that others were closing in on its perimeter in a encircling movement. In his nightly speech on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the fighting in the city and “successes in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Reveals Enhanced Air Defense System

The president, who has been urging his allies for more air defences to counter Moscow's strikes, stated on Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air-defence network with Berlin's support. “We have strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defence,” Zelenskyy said, referring to the sophisticated U.S.-made air-defence systems. Without providing additional information, the Ukraine's president specifically thanked Germany and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Civilians, Disrupt Electricity

Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles targeting Ukrainian territory took the lives of at least six individuals, including two minors, and disrupted power to thousands of residents, authorities said on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the office of Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The children were two boys aged 11 and 14, said the nation's ombudsman. The attacks disrupted power to the whole eastern Donetsk area as well as almost 58 thousand households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. The Vostok army group said some of its members were killed in one of the enemy attacks on the region.