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Ex-President Trump indicated this past Sunday that he is not really contemplating sending Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk missiles. In response to a query by a reporter on Air Force One, he responded, “No, not currently.” Earlier accounts had claimed the Pentagon told the White House that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were adequate to enable such a delivery.

Ukrainian Defense Actions Continue Without Weapon Lack

While Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to carry out far-reaching strikes against Russia, it has still succeeded to wage a successful operation using its domestically-produced drones and missiles against Moscow's military and key objectives, including fuel storage facilities and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack targeted the Tuapse oil port on the Black Sea, igniting a fire and harming two ships, according to Russian officials. Adjacent Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkish Oil Plants Turn to Non-Russian Crude Sources

Ankara's largest oil refining facilities are increasing procurement of alternative crude in response to the latest international sanctions on Russia, as reported by industry sources. 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 reducing imports.

STAR Refinery Expands Oil Sources

One of the largest Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, operated by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has recently acquired four shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and additional non-Russian suppliers for December arrival, as per insiders. This represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative crude, varying by shipment volume. By comparison, oil from Russia made up nearly the entirety of the STAR refinery's crude intake in recent months, amounting to about 210,000 barrels per day, based on market data. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Buys

The other major Turkish oil processor – Tupras – was also increasing purchases of alternative grades of crude, as stated by multiple sources. Tupras was furthermore likely to in the near future entirely eliminate Russian crude at one of its two major Turkish refineries to continue fuel shipments to Europe without violating the European Union's incoming restrictions. Tupras declined to comment to a inquiry for a statement.

Ukrainian Sends Special Forces to Eastern City

Ukraine has sent special forces to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an fierce Moscow's offensive comprising thousands of soldiers, as stated by Kyiv’s top commander. The city, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a major supply line for the Ukrainian military and has been in Moscow’s sights for over a twelve months as Russia pushes to seize the entire eastern Donetsk region.

Recent Updates in the City

No fewer than two hundred Russian troops had breached the city's defences, Ukrainian officials reported last week, while military experts assessed that additional forces were advancing on its perimeter in a encircling maneuver. In his evening address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the fighting in Pokrovsk and “successes in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Announces Enhanced Air Defence Network

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his partners for additional air defense systems to counter Moscow's attacks, stated on Sunday that the country had reinforced its air-defence network with Germany’s support. “We've strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defence,” Zelenskyy said, referring to the advanced American air-defence systems. Without offering additional details, the Ukraine's president singled out Berlin and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Claim Civilians, Cut Power

Moscow's unmanned aircraft and missiles targeting Ukraine took the lives of no fewer than 6 individuals, including 2 minors, and cut electricity to thousands of residents, officials reported on Sunday. Moscow's military attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The victims were male minors aged 11 and fourteen, said Ukraine’s ombudsman. Russia’s strikes disrupted power to the entire east Donetsk region as well as nearly 58 thousand homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Eastern army group said a number of its personnel were killed in one of the Russian attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.