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FormerPresident Trump stated this past Sunday that he was not seriously considering supplying Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a reporter aboard his plane, he replied, “No, not really.” Earlier reports had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow such a transfer.

Ukraine's Defense Efforts Continue Despite Weapon Lack

While Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching attacks against Russian targets, it has still managed to conduct a successful operation using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Russian armed and strategic targets, including fuel storage facilities and refineries. On Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack targeted the port facility on the coast, causing a fire and harming two ships, as stated by Moscow authorities. Adjacent airfields in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkish Oil Plants Shift to Non-Russian Crude Supplies

Ankara's largest oil refining facilities are increasing procurement of alternative crude in response to the latest western sanctions on Russia, according to industry insiders. Turkey is a significant buyer of oil from Russia, together with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring India's lead in cutting back supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Expands Oil Procurement

One of the largest Turkey's refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azeri company SOCAR, has lately purchased four shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional alternative suppliers for year-end arrival, according to sources. This represent approximately tens of thousands of barrels daily of non-Russian crude, depending on cargo size. In contrast, Russian crude accounted for virtually the entirety of the plant's crude intake in recent months, totaling approximately 210,000 bpd, based on market information. SOCAR refused to comment.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Increasing Alternative Purchases

The other leading Turkish oil processor – Tupras – was also raising purchases of non-Russian grades of crude, according to multiple sources. The company was furthermore expected to in the near future entirely phase out imports from Russia at a key facility of its two main domestic refineries to maintain fuel exports to Europe without violating the European Union's incoming sanctions. The refiner declined to comment to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Deploys Special Forces to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has sent special forces to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an intense Russian assault comprising thousands of soldiers, according to Ukraine's senior military leader. Pokrovsk, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a key logistical route for the Ukrainian army and has been in Moscow’s sights for over a twelve months as Russia aims to seize the whole east Donetsk region.

Latest Updates in Pokrovsk

At least 200 Russian troops had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Kyiv reported recently, while analysts concluded that others were closing in on its outskirts in a encircling maneuver. In his evening speech on Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the fighting in the city and “successes in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Strengthened Air Defence Network

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his allies for more air defences to counter Moscow's strikes, announced on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence capabilities with Berlin's assistance. “We have strengthened the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defence,” he said, referring to the sophisticated U.S.-made air-defence systems. Not offering further details, the Ukraine's leader specifically thanked Berlin and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Russian Strikes Claim Civilians, Disrupt Electricity

Moscow's drones and rockets fired at Ukraine killed at least six individuals, including two children, and cut electricity to thousands of households, authorities reported on Sunday. Moscow's military attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the office of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys of ages eleven and 14, said the nation's human rights commissioner. The strikes cut power to the entire east Donetsk region as well as nearly 58 thousand households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. The Vostok military unit confirmed some of its members were killed in a particular of the enemy strikes on the region.