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Ex-President Trump stated this past Sunday that he is not seriously considering sending Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. When questioned by a reporter on his plane, he answered, “No, not currently.” Recent reports had suggested the Pentagon told the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to allow this transfer.

Ukrainian Military Efforts Continue Without Missile Lack

Although Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to conduct long-range attacks against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to wage a effective operation using its own drones and rockets against Russian military and strategic objectives, including oil depots and processing plants. On Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike struck the port facility on the Black Sea, igniting a fire and harming two vessels, according to Moscow officials. Adjacent Russian airports in the region also had to be shut down.

Turkish Refineries Shift to Alternative Oil Sources

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are boosting procurement of non-Russian crude in reaction to the recent western restrictions on Moscow, as reported by industry insiders. Turkey is a major buyer of oil from Russia, together with Beijing and New Delhi, but refiners are mirroring India's lead in reducing supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Expands Crude Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), owned by Azeri firm SOCAR, has lately acquired four cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other alternative suppliers for year-end delivery, according to sources. These purchases represent approximately tens of thousands of barrels daily of non-Russian crude, varying by shipment volume. By comparison, Russian crude made up virtually the entirety of the STAR refinery's supply in October and September, totaling approximately 210 thousand bpd, based on market information. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Tupras Also Increasing Alternative Purchases

Another major Turkish oil processor – Tupras – was also increasing acquisitions of alternative types of crude, according to two sources. Tupras was also expected to soon entirely eliminate imports from Russia at one of its primary major Turkish refineries to continue petroleum exports to Europe without violating the EU’s incoming restrictions. The refiner declined to comment to a inquiry for comment.

Ukrainian Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has deployed special forces to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an intense Moscow's assault involving thousands of soldiers, according to Kyiv’s senior commander. The city, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a major logistical line for the Kyiv's military and has been in Moscow’s crosshairs for more than a twelve months as Russia pushes to control the entire east Donetsk area.

Recent Developments in the City

At least 200 Moscow's troops had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defences, Ukrainian officials reported recently, while military experts assessed that others were closing in on its perimeter in a encircling maneuver. In his nightly speech on Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the fighting in the city and “successes in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Announces Enhanced Air Defence Network

The president, who has been urging his partners for additional air defences to hold off Russia’s strikes, announced on this past Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air defense network with Berlin's assistance. “We have strengthened the Patriot component of our national air defense,” he declared, mentioning the advanced American air-defence systems. Without offering additional details, the Ukraine's leader specifically thanked Berlin and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Civilians, Cut Electricity

Moscow's unmanned aircraft and rockets targeting Ukrainian territory killed no fewer than six people, among them 2 minors, and disrupted electricity to tens of thousands of residents, authorities reported on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The children were two boys aged 11 and fourteen, said Ukraine’s ombudsman. Russia’s attacks disrupted electricity to the whole eastern Donetsk area as well as nearly 58,000 households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. The Vostok army group said a number of its members were killed in one of the enemy strikes on the region.