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FormerPresident Trump indicated on Sunday that he was not really contemplating sending Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. When questioned by a reporter on Air Force One, he answered, “No, not really.” Recent accounts had suggested the Pentagon informed the White House that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were adequate to allow this transfer.

Ukraine's Defense Efforts Continue Despite Weapon Lack

While Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching attacks against Russian targets, it has still managed to conduct a successful campaign using its domestically-produced drones and rockets against Moscow's military and strategic objectives, such as oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack targeted the port facility on the coast, igniting a blaze and damaging two ships, according to Moscow authorities. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkish Oil Plants Turn to Non-Russian Crude Supplies

Ankara's largest oil refineries are boosting purchases of alternative crude in response to the latest international sanctions on Moscow, as reported by market insiders. The country is a major purchaser of oil from Russia, together with Beijing and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's lead in cutting back supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Expands Oil Procurement

One of the largest Turkey's refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has recently acquired four shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional non-Russian producers for year-end delivery, according to insiders. These purchases amount to roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of non-Russian crude, depending on shipment volume. In contrast, Russian crude accounted for virtually the entirety of the plant's supply in October and September, amounting to approximately 210,000 barrels per day, based on market information. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Alternative Purchases

The other leading Turkish oil processor – Tupras refinery – was additionally raising purchases of alternative types of crude, as stated by two insiders. Tupras was furthermore expected to soon completely phase out Russian crude at one of its primary major Turkish plants to maintain petroleum shipments to Europe without violating the EU’s incoming sanctions. The refiner declined to comment to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Deploys Special Forces to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has sent special forces to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an fierce Russian offensive involving thousands of troops, according to Ukraine's top commander. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a key logistical route for the Ukrainian military and has been in Russia's crosshairs for over a twelve months as Moscow pushes to seize the entire east Donetsk region.

Recent Developments in the City

No fewer than 200 Russian troops had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defences, Ukrainian officials reported recently, while analysts assessed that others were closing in on its outskirts in a encircling movement. In his evening 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 Defense System

The president, who has been pushing his allies for additional air defences to hold off Russia’s attacks, announced on this past Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air defense capabilities with Germany’s assistance. “We have boosted the Patriot component of our national air defense,” Zelenskyy said, referring to the sophisticated American defense systems. Not providing additional details, the Ukrainian leader singled out Berlin and its leader, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Innocents, Cut Power

Russian drones and missiles targeting Ukrainian territory took the lives of at least 6 people, among them two minors, and disrupted electricity to tens of thousands of households, authorities said on this past Sunday. Moscow's military attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The victims were male minors of ages eleven and fourteen, said Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. Russia’s attacks cut power to the whole east Donetsk region as well as nearly 58 thousand homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. The Eastern military unit said a number of its members were killed in a particular of the enemy strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.