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FormerPresident Trump indicated on Sunday that he is not actively considering supplying Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. In response to a query by a reporter aboard his plane, he answered, “No, not currently.” Recent reports had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense informed the White House that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were ample to allow this transfer.

Ukrainian Military Efforts Persist Without Weapon Lack

While Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to carry out far-reaching attacks against Russian targets, it has still succeeded to wage a effective operation using its own drones and missiles against Moscow's armed and strategic objectives, such as oil depots and processing plants. On Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike hit the port facility on the coast, igniting a fire and harming two vessels, as stated by Moscow authorities. Adjacent airfields in the region also had to be shut down.

Turkish Refineries Shift to Non-Russian Oil Sources

Turkey's largest oil refineries are boosting purchases of non-Russian crude in reaction to the recent international sanctions on Russia, according to industry insiders. Turkey is a significant purchaser of Russian crude, along with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are following New Delhi's example in cutting back imports.

STAR Refinery Expands Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkish refining plants, the STAR refinery, operated by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has recently purchased multiple cargoes of crude from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and other alternative producers for December delivery, according to sources. These purchases amount to roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of alternative supply, varying by cargo size. In contrast, Russian crude accounted for virtually all of the plant's supply in October and September, totaling approximately 210 thousand bpd, based on trade information. SOCAR refused to comment.

Another Major Refiner Also Boosting Alternative Buys

Another major Turkish oil processor – Tupras – was additionally raising purchases of non-Russian grades of crude, as stated by two sources. The company was also expected to soon entirely phase out Russian crude at one of its primary major domestic refineries to maintain fuel shipments to the EU without breaching the European Union's incoming sanctions. The refiner declined to comment to a request for a statement.

Ukrainian Deploys Special Forces to Eastern City

Kyiv has sent elite troops to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an intense Russian offensive comprising a large number of troops, as stated by Ukraine's senior military leader. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a key logistical route for the Ukrainian military and has been under Russia's crosshairs for over a year as Russia pushes to control the whole east Donetsk area.

Recent Updates in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Russian troops had breached the city's defensive lines, Ukrainian officials said recently, while analysts assessed that others were advancing on its perimeter in a encircling movement. In his nightly speech on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the fighting in Pokrovsk and “results in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Reveals Strengthened Air Defense Network

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for additional air defense systems to counter Russia’s attacks, announced on this past Sunday that the country had reinforced its air-defence network with Berlin's support. “We've strengthened the Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defense,” Zelenskyy said, mentioning the advanced American air-defence systems. Not providing further information, the Ukrainian leader singled out Berlin and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Innocents, Cut Power

Russian drones and missiles fired at Ukraine took the lives of at least 6 individuals, including two minors, and cut power to tens of thousands of households, officials said on this past Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys aged 11 and fourteen, stated the nation's human rights commissioner. Russia’s strikes cut power to the whole east Donetsk region as well as almost 58,000 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. The Vostok army group confirmed some of its personnel were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.