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Ex-President Donald Trump stated this past Sunday that he is not seriously planning supplying Ukraine with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a journalist on Air Force One, he answered, “No, not currently.” Recent reports had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense told the White House that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to enable this transfer.

Ukrainian Defense Actions Continue Despite Weapon Lack

While Ukrainian forces has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching strikes against Russian targets, it has nonetheless managed to wage a effective campaign using its own drones and rockets against Russian armed and strategic objectives, including oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack struck the port facility on the coast, causing a blaze and damaging two ships, as stated by Russian authorities. Nearby Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkey Oil Plants Turn to Alternative Crude Supplies

Ankara's largest oil refining facilities are increasing purchases of non-Russian crude in response to the latest western restrictions on Moscow, according to market sources. The country is a major buyer of oil from Russia, together with China and India, but processing companies are mirroring India's lead in reducing imports.

STAR Refinery Diversifies Oil Sources

A major Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, operated by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has lately acquired four shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and other non-Russian producers for year-end arrival, as per sources. This amount to roughly tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian supply, varying by cargo size. In contrast, oil from Russia made up nearly all of the plant's supply in recent months, totaling about 210 thousand bpd, based on market information. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Purchases

Another major Turkey's refiner – Tupras – was additionally increasing acquisitions of alternative types of crude, according to two insiders. Tupras was furthermore expected to in the near future completely phase out imports from Russia at one of its primary major domestic plants to maintain petroleum exports to Europe without violating the European Union's upcoming sanctions. Tupras declined to comment to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Sends Special Forces to Eastern City

Ukraine has deployed special forces to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an fierce Moscow's assault involving a large number of troops, as stated by Ukraine's senior commander. The city, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a key logistical route for the Kyiv's army and has been under Moscow’s crosshairs for more than a twelve months as Moscow pushes to control the entire east Donetsk region.

Recent Developments in Pokrovsk

No fewer than two hundred Russian soldiers had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Ukrainian officials said last week, while analysts assessed that additional forces were advancing on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped movement. In his nightly speech on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “successes in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Announces Strengthened Air Defense Network

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his allies for more air defences to counter Russia’s attacks, announced on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence capabilities with Germany’s support. “We've boosted the U.S.-made Patriot element of our national air defense,” Zelenskyy said, mentioning the advanced American air-defence systems. Without offering additional information, the Ukrainian leader specifically thanked Berlin and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Civilians, Disrupt Electricity

Moscow's drones and missiles targeting Ukraine killed at least 6 individuals, including two minors, and disrupted electricity to thousands of residents, authorities said on Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the representatives of the country's chief prosecutor. The children were two boys of ages 11 and fourteen, said Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. The attacks cut electricity to the whole eastern Donetsk region as well as almost 58,000 households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. Ukraine’s Eastern army group confirmed a number of its personnel were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on the region.