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FormerPresident Trump stated this past Sunday that he is not actively planning sending Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk missiles. In response to a query by a reporter aboard Air Force One, he replied, “No, not at the moment.” Recent reports had claimed the Pentagon informed the administration that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow this transfer.

Ukrainian Military Actions Persist Despite Weapon Lack

Although Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to carry out far-reaching strikes against Russian targets, it has still managed to wage a successful campaign using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Russian military and key objectives, such as oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike targeted the port facility on the coast, causing a blaze and damaging two ships, according to Moscow authorities. Adjacent airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Crude Supplies

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are increasing procurement of alternative crude in response to the recent western restrictions on Moscow, according to industry insiders. Turkey is a significant purchaser of oil from Russia, along with China and New Delhi, but refiners are following New Delhi's example in cutting back imports.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Diversifies Crude Sources

One of the largest Turkish refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azeri company SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and additional non-Russian producers for December arrival, as per sources. These purchases represent approximately tens of thousands of barrels daily of non-Russian supply, depending on shipment volume. In contrast, oil from Russia made up virtually the entirety of the STAR refinery's supply in recent months, amounting to about 210 thousand barrels per day, according to market data. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Also Increasing Alternative Buys

Another leading Turkish oil processor – Tupras refinery – was additionally raising acquisitions of alternative types of crude, according to multiple sources. Tupras was furthermore likely to soon completely eliminate imports from Russia at a key facility of its two main Turkish refineries to maintain petroleum shipments to Europe without breaching the European Union's upcoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukrainian Deploys Special Forces to Eastern City

Ukraine has deployed elite troops to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an intense Moscow's assault involving a large number of soldiers, according to Ukraine's senior commander. Pokrovsk, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply route for the Ukrainian military and has been under Russia's crosshairs for more than a year as Russia pushes to seize the whole eastern Donetsk region.

Recent Developments in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Russian troops had breached Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Kyiv reported recently, while analysts concluded that additional forces were closing in on its outskirts in a encircling movement. In his evening speech on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Strengthened Air Defense Network

The president, who has been urging his partners for more air defences to counter Russia’s attacks, stated on Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air defense network with Berlin's support. “We've boosted the Patriot element of our national air defence,” Zelenskyy declared, referring to the advanced American air-defence systems. Not providing additional information, the Ukraine's president specifically thanked Germany and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Russian Strikes Claim Innocents, Cut Electricity

Moscow's drones and missiles targeting Ukrainian territory killed no fewer than 6 people, among them two minors, and cut electricity to tens of thousands of residents, authorities said on this past Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the office of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were male minors of ages 11 and 14, stated Ukraine’s ombudsman. The attacks disrupted power to the whole eastern Donetsk area as well as almost 58 thousand households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. The Vostok army group confirmed a number of its members were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on the region.