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FormerPresident Trump remarked this past Sunday that he is not actively considering supplying Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a journalist on his plane, he answered, “No, not at the moment.” Recent reports had suggested the Pentagon told the White House that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were ample to allow such a transfer.

Ukrainian Defense Actions Persist Without Weapon Shortage

While Ukrainian forces has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to carry out long-range strikes against Russian targets, it has nonetheless succeeded to wage a effective operation using its domestically-produced drones and missiles against Moscow's armed and strategic targets, such as oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike targeted the Tuapse oil port on the Black Sea, causing a blaze and damaging two vessels, as stated by Moscow officials. Nearby Russian airports in the region also had to be closed.

Turkish Oil Plants Shift to Alternative Crude Sources

Ankara's largest oil refining facilities are boosting procurement of non-Russian crude in response to the latest western sanctions on Russia, as reported by industry sources. The country is a major purchaser of oil from Russia, along with China and India, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's example in reducing supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Diversifies Oil Sources

A major Turkey's refining plants, the STAR refinery, operated by Azeri firm SOCAR, has recently purchased four shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional alternative producers for year-end arrival, according to insiders. These purchases amount to roughly tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian supply, varying by cargo size. In contrast, oil from Russia accounted for nearly all of the STAR refinery's supply in October and September, amounting to approximately 210,000 bpd, according to market data. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Non-Russian Buys

The other major Turkish refiner – Tupras – was also increasing acquisitions of alternative grades of crude, as stated by multiple sources. The company was furthermore likely to in the near future completely eliminate Russian crude at one of its primary major domestic refineries to maintain petroleum exports to the EU without violating the EU’s upcoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Sends Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has deployed elite troops to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an fierce Russian assault comprising a large number of troops, as stated by Kyiv’s top military leader. The city, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a major logistical line for the Kyiv's army and has been under Moscow’s sights for more than a year as Russia aims to control the entire eastern Donetsk region.

Recent Updates in the City

At least two hundred Moscow's soldiers had breached the city's defensive lines, Kyiv reported recently, while military experts assessed that others were advancing on its outskirts in a encircling maneuver. In his nightly speech on Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the combat in the city and “results in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Announces Enhanced Air Defence System

The president, who has been urging his allies for additional air defense systems to hold off Moscow's attacks, stated on this past Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air defense network with Germany’s support. “We have strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot element of our national air defense,” Zelenskyy said, referring to the advanced U.S.-made air-defence systems. Not providing further information, the Ukraine's president singled out Germany and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for gratitude.

Moscow's Attacks Claim Civilians, Disrupt Electricity

Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles fired at Ukraine killed no fewer than six individuals, including 2 children, and cut electricity to tens of thousands of residents, authorities said on Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the office of the country's prosecutor general. The victims were two boys of ages 11 and fourteen, said Ukraine’s ombudsman. The attacks cut power to the whole east Donetsk region as well as nearly 58 thousand homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. Ukraine’s Vostok army group said some of its members were killed in a particular of the Russian strikes on the region.