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Ex-President Trump remarked on Sunday that he is not seriously considering providing Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a reporter on his plane, he answered, “No, not really.” Recent reports had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to allow this delivery.

Ukraine's Military Actions Persist Despite Missile Lack

Although Ukraine has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range strikes against Russian targets, it has still succeeded to conduct a effective campaign using its domestically-produced drones and rockets against Russian armed and strategic targets, including fuel storage facilities and refineries. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike struck the port facility on the coast, causing a blaze and damaging two vessels, as stated by Moscow authorities. Adjacent Russian airports in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkish Refineries Shift to Non-Russian Oil Supplies

Turkey's biggest oil refineries are boosting purchases of non-Russian crude in response to the recent western sanctions on Russia, as reported by market sources. Turkey is a significant purchaser of Russian crude, together with China and India, but processing companies are following India's example in reducing imports.

STAR Plant Diversifies Oil Procurement

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and additional alternative suppliers for December arrival, according to insiders. These purchases represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian supply, varying by cargo size. In contrast, Russian crude made up nearly all of the plant's crude intake in October and September, amounting to approximately 210 thousand bpd, according to trade data. SOCAR refused to comment.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Increasing Alternative Buys

Another leading Turkey's oil processor – Tupras refinery – was additionally raising acquisitions of alternative types of crude, according to two insiders. The company was also likely to in the near future completely phase out imports from Russia at one of its two major Turkish plants to continue petroleum exports to the EU without violating the European Union's upcoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Deploys Special Forces to Eastern City

Kyiv has sent special forces to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an intense Russian offensive comprising a large number of troops, as stated by Kyiv’s top military leader. Pokrovsk, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a major supply line for the Kyiv's military and has been in Russia's sights for more than a twelve months as Russia pushes to seize the entire east Donetsk area.

Recent Developments in the City

At least 200 Russian soldiers had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Kyiv reported last week, while military experts assessed that others were advancing on its perimeter in a encircling movement. In his nightly speech on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the fighting in the city and “results in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Announces Strengthened Air Defense Network

The president, who has been urging his allies for more air defense systems to counter Moscow's strikes, announced on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence network with Berlin's support. “We've strengthened the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” he said, mentioning the advanced American air-defence systems. Without offering further information, the Ukrainian president specifically thanked Berlin and its leader, the German chancellor, for gratitude.

Russian Strikes Claim Civilians, Cut Electricity

Russian drones and rockets fired at Ukrainian territory took the lives of at least 6 people, among them 2 children, and cut electricity to thousands of households, authorities said on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The children were male minors of ages 11 and fourteen, stated Ukraine’s ombudsman. Russia’s strikes cut power to the entire eastern Donetsk region as well as nearly 58 thousand homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. The Vostok military unit said some of its personnel were killed in one of the enemy attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.