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FormerPresident Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he was not seriously contemplating providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a reporter aboard his plane, he answered, “No, not currently.” Earlier accounts had indicated the Pentagon told the White House that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to enable such a delivery.

Ukraine's Military Actions Persist Despite Weapon Shortage

Although Ukrainian forces has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to conduct long-range attacks against Russian targets, it has still succeeded to wage a effective campaign using its domestically-produced drones and missiles against Russian military and strategic objectives, including oil depots and processing plants. On Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack hit the port facility on the Black Sea, igniting a fire and damaging two ships, as stated by Moscow authorities. Nearby airfields in the area also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Shift to Alternative Oil Supplies

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are boosting procurement of non-Russian crude in response to the recent international sanctions on Russia, according to market insiders. Turkey is a major purchaser of Russian crude, together with Beijing and New Delhi, but processing companies are following New Delhi's example in cutting back imports.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Diversifies Oil Sources

A major Turkey's refining plants, the STAR refinery, operated by Azeri firm SOCAR, has lately purchased four cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other alternative producers for December arrival, as per sources. This amount to approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of alternative supply, varying by cargo size. By comparison, oil from Russia made up nearly all of the STAR refinery's crude intake in October and September, totaling about 210,000 barrels per day, based on trade information. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Boosting Non-Russian Buys

The other major Turkey's oil processor – Tupras – was also increasing purchases of alternative types of crude, as stated by two insiders. The company was also expected to in the near future entirely eliminate Russian crude at one of its primary major domestic plants to continue petroleum shipments to the EU without violating the European Union's incoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukrainian Sends Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has deployed elite troops to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an fierce Moscow's offensive involving thousands of troops, as stated by Kyiv’s senior military leader. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a key supply route for the Ukrainian military and has been under Russia's crosshairs for over a year as Russia aims to seize the entire east Donetsk region.

Recent Updates in the City

No fewer than 200 Moscow's troops had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Kyiv said recently, while analysts concluded that others were advancing on its perimeter in a encircling maneuver. In his nightly address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the fighting in the city and “results in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Reveals Enhanced Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for additional air defences to hold off Russia’s strikes, announced on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air defense network with Berlin's assistance. “We've strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defence,” he said, referring to the sophisticated U.S.-made defense systems. Without offering additional information, the Ukraine's president singled out Berlin and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Innocents, Cut Electricity

Moscow's unmanned aircraft and rockets fired at Ukraine killed no fewer than six people, among them two minors, and cut electricity to tens of thousands of residents, officials said on this past Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The children were two boys aged eleven and 14, stated the nation's ombudsman. The strikes disrupted electricity to the entire east Donetsk area as well as nearly 58 thousand households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Eastern military unit said some of its personnel were killed in one of the enemy attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.