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Ex-President Trump remarked on Sunday that he is not really contemplating supplying Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. In response to a query by a reporter on Air Force One, he replied, “No, not currently.” Earlier accounts had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense informed the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to allow such a delivery.

Ukraine's Defense Actions Continue Without Weapon Shortage

Although Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range attacks against Russia, it has nonetheless managed to conduct a successful operation using its own drones and rockets against Moscow's military and strategic objectives, such as fuel storage facilities and processing plants. On Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike hit the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a blaze and harming two vessels, according to Russian authorities. Nearby airfields in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkish Refineries Turn to Alternative Crude Sources

Turkey's largest oil refineries are boosting purchases of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest international restrictions on Russia, as reported by market insiders. The country is a significant buyer of oil from Russia, along with Beijing and New Delhi, but refiners are following India's lead in cutting back imports.

STAR Refinery Diversifies Oil Sources

One of the largest Turkish refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azeri company SOCAR, has recently acquired multiple cargoes of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and additional alternative producers for December delivery, according to insiders. This amount to approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of non-Russian supply, depending on shipment volume. In contrast, oil from Russia accounted for virtually all of the plant's supply in October and September, amounting to approximately 210 thousand barrels per day, according to trade information. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Increasing Alternative Buys

Another leading Turkey's oil processor – Tupras refinery – was additionally raising purchases of non-Russian grades of crude, as stated by multiple sources. Tupras was also likely to soon entirely phase out Russian crude at a key facility of its primary major domestic refineries to continue petroleum shipments to Europe without violating the EU’s upcoming sanctions. The refiner did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has deployed special forces to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an fierce Russian assault involving a large number of soldiers, according to Kyiv’s top military leader. Pokrovsk, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a major supply line for the Kyiv's army and has been under Russia's crosshairs for over a twelve months as Moscow aims to seize the entire east Donetsk area.

Recent Updates in Pokrovsk

At least 200 Russian soldiers had breached Pokrovsk’s defences, Kyiv said last week, while analysts concluded that others were advancing on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his nightly address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the fighting in the city and “successes in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Strengthened Air Defence Network

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for more air defense systems to hold off Moscow's strikes, stated on Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air defense capabilities with Berlin's assistance. “We have strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot element of our national air defence,” he said, referring to the advanced U.S.-made air-defence systems. Without providing additional details, the Ukrainian president specifically thanked Germany and its leader, the German chancellor, for gratitude.

Moscow's Strikes Claim Civilians, Cut Electricity

Moscow's drones and rockets fired at Ukraine killed at least six individuals, including 2 minors, and cut power to thousands of residents, authorities reported on this past Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the representatives of the country's chief prosecutor. The children were male minors of ages eleven and fourteen, stated Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. Russia’s attacks cut power to the entire eastern Donetsk area as well as nearly 58,000 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. Ukraine’s Vostok military unit said a number of its members were killed in one of the Russian attacks on the region.