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FormerPresident Donald Trump stated this past Sunday that he was not seriously considering sending Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a journalist aboard Air Force One, he responded, “No, not really.” Earlier accounts had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense told the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to enable this delivery.

Ukrainian Defense Actions Persist Without Weapon Lack

While Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range attacks against Russia, it has still succeeded to conduct a successful campaign using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Russian military and strategic targets, such as oil depots and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack targeted the port facility on the Black Sea, igniting a blaze and damaging two ships, according to Moscow authorities. Nearby Russian airports in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Alternative Oil Sources

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are boosting procurement of non-Russian crude in response to the latest western restrictions on Moscow, as reported by market sources. Turkey is a significant buyer of oil from Russia, along with China and New Delhi, but refiners are following New Delhi's lead in cutting back imports.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Diversifies Oil Sources

One of the largest Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, operated by Azeri company SOCAR, has recently acquired multiple cargoes of crude from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and additional non-Russian producers for December arrival, as per sources. These purchases amount to roughly tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian crude, depending on shipment volume. In contrast, Russian crude made up virtually all of the plant's supply in October and September, totaling about 210,000 bpd, according to trade data. SOCAR refused to comment.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Alternative Buys

The other major Turkey's refiner – Tupras refinery – was also increasing purchases of alternative grades of crude, according to two sources. The company was furthermore expected to in the near future entirely eliminate Russian crude at one of its primary main domestic plants to maintain fuel shipments to Europe without breaching the EU’s upcoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Sends Elite Units to Eastern City

Kyiv has deployed elite troops to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an fierce Moscow's assault involving a large number of troops, as stated by Ukraine's top military leader. The city, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a major logistical line for the Kyiv's military and has been under Russia's crosshairs for more than a twelve months as Russia aims to seize the entire east Donetsk region.

Recent Updates in the City

At least two hundred Moscow's soldiers had breached the city's defences, Ukrainian officials reported last week, while military experts assessed that additional forces were closing in on its outskirts in a encircling movement. In his nightly speech on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the combat in Pokrovsk and “successes in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Reveals Enhanced Air Defence Network

The president, who has been urging his allies for more air defense systems to hold off Russia’s attacks, announced on Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air-defence network with Berlin's assistance. “We've boosted the Patriot element of our national air defence,” he said, mentioning the advanced American defense systems. Not offering further details, the Ukrainian leader specifically thanked Berlin and its leader, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Claim Civilians, Disrupt Power

Russian unmanned aircraft and rockets fired at Ukrainian territory killed no fewer than 6 individuals, among them two minors, and disrupted power to thousands of residents, officials said on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the representatives of the country's chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys of ages 11 and 14, stated the nation's ombudsman. Russia’s strikes cut electricity to the entire east Donetsk region as well as nearly 58 thousand households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Eastern military unit confirmed some of its members were killed in a particular of the Russian strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.