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FormerPresident Trump remarked this past Sunday that he is not really planning sending Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. In response to a query by a journalist aboard his plane, he replied, “No, not at the moment.” Recent reports had suggested the Pentagon told the administration that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to allow such a delivery.

Ukrainian Defense Efforts Persist Without Weapon Shortage

While Ukrainian forces has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to execute far-reaching strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless managed to wage a effective operation using its own drones and rockets against Russian armed and key targets, such as oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike struck the port facility on the coast, causing a fire and damaging two ships, as stated by Moscow officials. Nearby airfields in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkish Oil Plants Shift to Alternative Crude Supplies

Ankara's biggest oil refineries are boosting purchases of alternative crude in reaction to the recent western restrictions on Russia, according to industry sources. Turkey is a major buyer of Russian crude, together with China and India, but refiners are mirroring India's example in cutting back supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Expands Oil Procurement

One of the largest Turkey's refineries, the STAR refinery, operated by Azeri firm SOCAR, has lately purchased four cargoes of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and other alternative suppliers for December delivery, as per insiders. This represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative crude, depending on shipment volume. In contrast, oil from Russia made up virtually the entirety of the STAR refinery's crude intake in recent months, totaling about 210,000 barrels per day, based on market data. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Boosting Non-Russian Buys

The other leading Turkish oil processor – Tupras – was also increasing acquisitions of non-Russian types of crude, as stated by multiple sources. Tupras was also expected to in the near future completely phase out imports from Russia at one of its primary major Turkish refineries to maintain fuel exports to Europe without breaching the EU’s incoming sanctions. The refiner did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukrainian Sends Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has sent elite troops to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an fierce Russian offensive comprising a large number of troops, as stated by Kyiv’s senior commander. The city, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a key supply route for the Kyiv's army and has been in Moscow’s crosshairs for over a year as Moscow pushes to seize the entire eastern Donetsk area.

Recent Updates in the City

No fewer than 200 Russian soldiers had penetrated the city's defences, Kyiv reported recently, while analysts concluded that others were advancing on its outskirts in a encircling maneuver. In his nightly address on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the fighting in Pokrovsk and “results in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defence System

The president, who has been urging his allies for more air defences to counter Russia’s strikes, announced on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence capabilities with Germany’s assistance. “We have strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot component of our national air defence,” he said, mentioning the advanced U.S.-made defense systems. Without providing additional details, the Ukrainian leader specifically thanked Berlin and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Russian Attacks Kill Innocents, Disrupt Electricity

Russian drones and rockets fired at Ukraine took the lives of at least 6 individuals, including 2 children, and disrupted electricity to thousands of households, authorities reported on Sunday. Moscow's military attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The children were male minors of ages eleven and 14, said the nation's human rights commissioner. The strikes disrupted electricity to the entire eastern Donetsk region as well as nearly 58,000 homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors said. The Eastern army group confirmed a number of its members were killed in one of the enemy strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.