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FormerPresident Trump indicated on Sunday that he is not actively considering sending Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a reporter aboard Air Force One, he answered, “No, not currently.” Earlier reports had claimed the U.S. Department of Defense told the administration that American inventories of Tomahawks were ample to enable this delivery.

Ukraine's Defense Actions Persist Despite Missile Shortage

While Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching attacks against Russian targets, it has still managed to conduct a effective operation using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Moscow's armed and strategic targets, including fuel storage facilities and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike struck the port facility on the Black Sea, igniting a blaze and damaging two ships, as stated by Russian authorities. Nearby Russian airports in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Oil Plants Turn to Alternative Oil Supplies

Turkey's largest oil refining facilities are increasing procurement of non-Russian crude in reaction to the recent western sanctions on Moscow, according to market sources. Turkey is a major purchaser of oil from Russia, together with China and India, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's example in reducing supplies.

STAR Refinery Expands Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has lately purchased four shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and additional non-Russian suppliers for year-end arrival, according to insiders. This represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian supply, depending on shipment volume. In contrast, oil from Russia accounted for nearly the entirety of the plant's supply in recent months, totaling about 210 thousand bpd, based on trade data. SOCAR declined to comment.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Non-Russian Buys

The other leading Turkey's oil processor – Tupras – was additionally increasing purchases of alternative grades of crude, according to two insiders. The company was furthermore expected to in the near future entirely eliminate Russian crude at one of its primary major Turkish refineries to continue petroleum shipments to Europe without breaching the EU’s upcoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Deploys Elite Units to Eastern City

Kyiv has sent elite troops to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an fierce Moscow's assault involving a large number of soldiers, according to Kyiv’s top military leader. The city, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply line for the Kyiv's army and has been under Russia's sights for more than a twelve months as Moscow pushes to control the whole east Donetsk region.

Recent Developments in the City

At least 200 Russian troops had breached Pokrovsk’s defences, Ukrainian officials reported last week, while military experts assessed that additional forces were closing in on its outskirts in a encircling maneuver. In his nightly speech on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the fighting in the city and “successes in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Announces Enhanced Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his partners for more air defences to hold off Moscow's strikes, stated on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence network with Berlin's assistance. “We have strengthened the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” he said, referring to the advanced U.S.-made defense systems. Not offering additional details, the Ukraine's leader specifically thanked Berlin and its leader, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Russian Attacks Kill Civilians, Disrupt Power

Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles fired at Ukraine took the lives of no fewer than 6 people, among them two minors, and cut power to thousands of households, officials reported on this past Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the representatives of the country's chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys aged eleven and 14, stated Ukraine’s ombudsman. Russia’s attacks disrupted power to the entire east Donetsk area as well as nearly 58 thousand homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors said. Ukraine’s Eastern army group said a number of its members were killed in one of the enemy attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.