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FormerPresident Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he was not really considering sending Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a journalist aboard Air Force One, he answered, “No, not really.” Recent reports had indicated the Pentagon informed the White House that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to allow such a delivery.

Ukraine's Defense Actions Continue Without Missile Lack

Although Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to carry out long-range strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to conduct a effective operation using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Moscow's armed and strategic objectives, including oil depots and processing plants. On Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack hit the Tuapse oil port on the coast, causing a fire and harming two ships, according to Russian officials. Adjacent Russian airports in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Shift to Non-Russian Oil Sources

Ankara's biggest oil refineries are increasing procurement of alternative crude in reaction to the recent international sanctions on Moscow, according to industry insiders. Turkey is a significant purchaser of oil from Russia, along with Beijing and India, but processing companies are following India's lead in cutting back imports.

STAR Plant Diversifies Crude Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional non-Russian producers for December arrival, according to sources. These purchases represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative crude, depending on shipment volume. By comparison, oil from Russia made up nearly all of the STAR refinery's crude intake in October and September, amounting to about 210 thousand barrels per day, based on market information. SOCAR declined to comment.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Alternative Purchases

The other leading Turkish refiner – Tupras – was additionally increasing purchases of alternative types of crude, as stated by two sources. Tupras was also likely to in the near future completely phase out Russian crude at one of its two major domestic plants to continue fuel shipments to the EU without breaching the European Union's upcoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukrainian Sends Elite Units to Eastern City

Kyiv has sent special forces to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an intense Moscow's assault involving thousands of troops, as stated by Ukraine's senior military leader. Pokrovsk, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a key logistical line for the Kyiv's military and has been under Moscow’s sights for over a twelve months as Russia pushes to seize the whole eastern Donetsk area.

Recent Developments in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Moscow's soldiers had penetrated the city's defences, Ukrainian officials reported last week, while military experts assessed that others were advancing on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his nightly address on Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the fighting in Pokrovsk and “results in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Reveals Enhanced Air Defence System

The president, who has been urging his partners for more air defences to hold off Russia’s strikes, stated on Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air-defence network with Berlin's assistance. “We've boosted the U.S.-made Patriot component of our national air defence,” he declared, referring to the advanced American air-defence systems. Without providing further details, the Ukraine's leader specifically thanked Germany and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Moscow's Strikes Claim Innocents, Disrupt Electricity

Moscow's unmanned aircraft and rockets targeting Ukrainian territory killed no fewer than 6 people, among them 2 children, and disrupted electricity to tens of thousands of households, authorities said on 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 11 and 14, stated Ukraine’s ombudsman. Russia’s attacks cut power to the whole east Donetsk area as well as nearly 58 thousand households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. The Eastern military unit confirmed some of its members were killed in a particular of the Russian attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.