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Ex-President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he is not really planning providing Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a journalist aboard his plane, he responded, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier accounts had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to enable such a transfer.

Ukraine's Military Efforts Persist Despite Weapon Lack

Although Ukraine has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range attacks against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to wage a effective 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 Kyiv's airstrike targeted the Tuapse oil port on the Black Sea, causing a fire and harming two vessels, as stated by Moscow authorities. Nearby Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkish Oil Plants Shift to Non-Russian Crude Supplies

Ankara's largest oil refineries are increasing purchases of non-Russian crude in response to the recent western restrictions on Moscow, as reported by industry sources. Turkey is a major buyer of Russian crude, together with China and India, but processing companies are following New Delhi's example in cutting back supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Diversifies Crude Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, the STAR refinery, owned by Azeri firm SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional alternative suppliers for December delivery, according to sources. This amount to approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative crude, depending on shipment volume. In contrast, Russian crude accounted for virtually the entirety of the plant's crude intake in recent months, totaling about 210,000 barrels per day, according to trade data. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Also Boosting Alternative Purchases

The other major Turkey's oil processor – Tupras – was additionally increasing purchases of non-Russian grades of crude, as stated by multiple insiders. The company was also likely to soon completely phase out imports from Russia at a key facility of its primary main Turkish refineries to maintain petroleum shipments to Europe without violating the European Union's upcoming sanctions. The refiner declined to comment to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Deploys Special Forces to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has deployed elite troops to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an intense Moscow's offensive comprising a large number of troops, according to Kyiv’s senior commander. The city, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a major logistical line for the Ukrainian military and has been in Moscow’s sights for over a year as Moscow pushes to seize the entire east Donetsk area.

Latest Developments in Pokrovsk

No fewer than 200 Russian soldiers had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Kyiv said last week, while analysts concluded that others were advancing on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped movement. In his nightly address on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the fighting in the city and “successes in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Strengthened Air Defense System

The president, who has been urging his partners for more air defense systems to counter Moscow's attacks, stated on this past Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air defense capabilities with Berlin's support. “We have strengthened the Patriot component of our national air defense,” Zelenskyy said, mentioning the sophisticated U.S.-made air-defence systems. Without providing additional information, the Ukraine's leader specifically thanked Berlin and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Russian Strikes Kill Innocents, Cut Power

Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles targeting Ukrainian territory took the lives of at least 6 people, including two minors, and cut power to tens of thousands of households, officials said on this past Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the office of the country's prosecutor general. The victims were male minors aged eleven and fourteen, said Ukraine’s ombudsman. The strikes cut power to the entire eastern Donetsk area as well as almost 58,000 households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Vostok military unit said a number of its members were killed in one of the Russian attacks on the region.