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FormerPresident Donald Trump remarked on Sunday that he was not seriously contemplating supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a reporter aboard his plane, he responded, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier accounts had claimed the U.S. Department of Defense told the White House that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were adequate to allow such a transfer.

Ukraine's Defense Efforts Persist Without Weapon Shortage

While Ukrainian forces has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to conduct long-range attacks against Russia, it has nonetheless managed to wage a successful campaign using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Moscow's armed and key targets, including oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike targeted the port facility on the coast, igniting a fire and harming two ships, as stated by Moscow officials. Nearby airfields in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkey Refineries Shift to Alternative Crude Sources

Turkey's largest oil refining facilities are increasing purchases of non-Russian crude in response to the latest western restrictions on Russia, as reported by market insiders. Turkey is a major purchaser of Russian crude, along with Beijing and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring India's lead in cutting back supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Expands Oil Sources

A major Turkey's refineries, the STAR refinery, operated by Azeri firm SOCAR, has recently acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other non-Russian producers for December arrival, as per sources. These purchases amount to approximately tens of thousands of barrels daily of alternative supply, varying by cargo size. In contrast, Russian crude made up virtually all of the plant's supply in recent months, amounting to about 210,000 barrels per day, according to market information. SOCAR declined to comment.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Increasing Alternative Buys

The other major Turkish refiner – Tupras – was additionally raising acquisitions of alternative types of crude, according to two sources. Tupras was also likely to soon entirely eliminate imports from Russia at a key facility of its two major domestic refineries to continue fuel exports to the EU without breaching the European Union's incoming restrictions. Tupras declined to comment to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has sent special forces to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an intense Moscow's assault comprising thousands of troops, according to Ukraine's senior commander. Pokrovsk, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a major supply line for the Kyiv's military and has been in Moscow’s sights for over a twelve months as Russia pushes to control the whole east Donetsk region.

Recent Updates in the City

No fewer than two hundred Russian soldiers had breached the city's defensive lines, Kyiv said last week, while military experts assessed that additional forces were closing in on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped movement. In his evening speech on Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the combat in Pokrovsk and “successes in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Announces Strengthened Air Defense Network

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for more air defense systems to counter Russia’s attacks, announced on Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air defense capabilities with Germany’s support. “We have boosted the U.S.-made Patriot element of our national air defence,” Zelenskyy declared, mentioning the advanced American defense systems. Not offering further information, the Ukrainian president singled out Berlin and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Russian Attacks Kill Innocents, Disrupt Electricity

Russian drones and missiles targeting Ukraine took the lives of no fewer than 6 individuals, among them two children, and disrupted electricity to thousands of residents, officials said on Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The children were male minors of ages 11 and 14, stated the nation's ombudsman. Russia’s strikes cut power to the entire eastern Donetsk area as well as nearly 58 thousand households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors said. Ukraine’s Vostok military unit confirmed a number of its members were killed in one of the enemy strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.