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FormerPresident Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he was not really contemplating supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a journalist aboard Air Force One, he answered, “No, not really.” Earlier accounts had claimed the Pentagon told the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to allow this delivery.

Ukraine's Military Efforts Persist Without Weapon Lack

Although Ukrainian forces has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range strikes against Russian targets, it has nonetheless succeeded to conduct a successful operation using its domestically-produced drones and rockets against Russian military and key targets, such as fuel storage facilities and processing plants. On Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack struck the Tuapse oil port on the Black Sea, igniting a blaze and damaging two ships, as stated by Moscow officials. Adjacent airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Alternative Crude Supplies

Ankara's largest oil refineries are increasing purchases of alternative crude in response to the recent international restrictions on Moscow, as reported by industry insiders. The country is a major purchaser of oil from Russia, together with Beijing and New Delhi, but refiners are following India's lead in cutting back imports.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Diversifies Oil Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), owned by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional alternative suppliers for December delivery, according to sources. These purchases amount to approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of non-Russian crude, varying by cargo size. By comparison, oil from Russia made up virtually all of the STAR refinery's crude intake in October and September, amounting to approximately 210 thousand bpd, based on market information. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Purchases

The other leading Turkish refiner – Tupras refinery – was also increasing acquisitions of alternative grades of crude, as stated by multiple insiders. Tupras was furthermore expected to soon completely eliminate Russian crude at one of its two major domestic refineries to continue fuel exports to the EU without violating the European Union's incoming restrictions. Tupras declined to comment to a request for a statement.

Ukrainian Sends Special Forces to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has sent special forces to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an intense Moscow's assault comprising thousands of soldiers, as stated by Ukraine's top commander. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply line for the Ukrainian army and has been in Russia's crosshairs for more than a twelve months as Moscow aims to control the whole eastern Donetsk region.

Recent Developments in Pokrovsk

No fewer than 200 Russian troops had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Ukrainian officials reported recently, while military experts assessed that additional forces were closing in on its outskirts in a encircling movement. In his nightly speech on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Strengthened Air Defense Network

The president, who has been pushing his partners for more air defense systems to hold off Russia’s strikes, announced on this past Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air defense network with Germany’s support. “We've boosted the U.S.-made Patriot component of our national air defence,” he said, mentioning the advanced U.S.-made air-defence systems. Without offering further information, the Ukraine's leader specifically thanked Berlin and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Claim Civilians, Disrupt Electricity

Moscow's drones and missiles fired at Ukrainian territory took the lives of at least six individuals, including two minors, and cut electricity to thousands of households, officials reported on this past Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the representatives of Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The victims were male minors aged eleven and fourteen, stated Ukraine’s ombudsman. Russia’s attacks cut power to the whole east Donetsk area as well as nearly 58 thousand homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. Ukraine’s Vostok military unit said some of its members were killed in one of the enemy attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.