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Ex-President Donald Trump stated this past Sunday that he is not really planning supplying Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a journalist on Air Force One, he responded, “No, not really.” Earlier reports had claimed the Pentagon told the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to enable such a transfer.

Ukraine's Military Actions Continue Despite Missile Lack

While Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to conduct long-range strikes against Russian targets, it has still succeeded to wage a effective campaign using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Moscow's military and key targets, including fuel storage facilities and refineries. On Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike struck the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a fire and harming two vessels, according to Russian authorities. Adjacent airfields in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkey Oil Plants Shift to Non-Russian Crude Supplies

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are increasing purchases of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest western sanctions on Russia, according to market sources. The country is a significant purchaser of oil from Russia, together with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring India's example in cutting back supplies.

STAR Plant Expands Crude Sources

A major Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azeri firm SOCAR, has recently purchased multiple shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other non-Russian suppliers for year-end arrival, as per insiders. This represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative supply, depending on cargo size. In contrast, oil from Russia made up nearly all of the plant's crude intake in October and September, amounting to approximately 210 thousand bpd, according to market information. SOCAR declined to comment.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Non-Russian Purchases

The other major Turkey's oil processor – Tupras refinery – was also increasing acquisitions of non-Russian grades of crude, as stated by two sources. The company was furthermore likely to in the near future completely phase out Russian crude at one of its two main Turkish refineries to maintain petroleum exports to Europe without violating the EU’s upcoming sanctions. Tupras declined to comment to a request for comment.

Ukrainian Deploys Special Forces to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has deployed special forces to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an intense Moscow's offensive involving thousands of soldiers, as stated by Ukraine's senior commander. The city, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a key logistical route for the Ukrainian military and has been in Russia's sights for more than a twelve months as Moscow pushes to seize the entire eastern Donetsk area.

Recent Developments in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Russian soldiers had breached the city's defences, Kyiv reported last week, while analysts concluded that others were advancing on its outskirts in a encircling movement. In his evening address on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the fighting in the city and “results in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Announces Enhanced Air Defense System

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his allies for additional air defences to counter Moscow's attacks, announced on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence capabilities with Berlin's support. “We have boosted the Patriot component of our national air defence,” Zelenskyy declared, referring to the advanced American air-defence systems. Not offering additional information, the Ukrainian president singled out Berlin and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for gratitude.

Russian Strikes Kill Innocents, Cut Electricity

Russian drones and missiles targeting Ukraine took the lives of no fewer than 6 individuals, among them 2 children, and cut electricity to thousands of households, officials reported on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The children were male minors of ages 11 and 14, stated the nation's ombudsman. The strikes disrupted power to the entire east Donetsk region as well as almost 58 thousand households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. Ukraine’s Vostok military unit confirmed a number of its personnel were killed in a particular of the Russian attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.