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FormerPresident Trump stated on Sunday that he was not seriously considering providing Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a journalist aboard Air Force One, he replied, “No, not really.” Earlier reports had indicated the Pentagon informed the White House that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were ample to allow this transfer.

Ukrainian Military Efforts Continue Without Missile Lack

Although Ukrainian forces has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to carry out far-reaching attacks against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to wage a effective campaign using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Moscow's military and strategic objectives, including oil depots and processing plants. On Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack hit the Tuapse oil port on the Black Sea, igniting a fire and harming two ships, as stated by Russian authorities. Nearby Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkish Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Oil Supplies

Turkey's largest oil refining facilities are increasing purchases of alternative crude in response to the latest international restrictions on Russia, according to industry insiders. The country is a significant buyer of Russian crude, together with China and India, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's example in reducing imports.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Expands Oil Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional alternative suppliers for December arrival, as per insiders. This amount to approximately tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian supply, depending on cargo size. By comparison, oil from Russia accounted for virtually all of the plant's crude intake in October and September, totaling about 210 thousand bpd, based on market data. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Also Boosting Alternative Purchases

Another major Turkey's refiner – Tupras – was also raising acquisitions of alternative types of crude, according to two insiders. Tupras was furthermore likely to in the near future completely eliminate Russian crude at one of its two main domestic refineries to maintain petroleum exports to Europe without violating the European Union's upcoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a request for comment.

Ukraine Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has deployed special forces to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an fierce Moscow's assault involving thousands of soldiers, as stated by Ukraine's top military leader. The city, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a key logistical line for the Kyiv's military and has been in Moscow’s crosshairs for over a twelve months as Moscow pushes to seize the whole eastern Donetsk area.

Recent Updates in Pokrovsk

No fewer than 200 Moscow's troops had breached Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Kyiv reported recently, while military experts concluded that additional forces were closing in on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped movement. In his nightly address on Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “successes in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Announces Strengthened Air Defense System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for more air defences to hold off Moscow's attacks, announced on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence network with Berlin's support. “We have strengthened the Patriot component of our national air defense,” Zelenskyy declared, referring to the sophisticated American air-defence systems. Not providing additional details, the Ukrainian leader specifically thanked Berlin and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for gratitude.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Innocents, Disrupt Electricity

Russian unmanned aircraft and rockets targeting Ukraine took the lives of at least 6 individuals, among them two children, and disrupted power to thousands of households, authorities reported on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the representatives of the country's chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys aged eleven and 14, stated the nation's ombudsman. The attacks cut electricity to the whole east Donetsk area as well as almost 58,000 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. Ukraine’s Eastern army group confirmed a number of its personnel were killed in a particular of the Russian strikes on the region.