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Ex-President Trump stated this past Sunday that he was not really contemplating supplying Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a journalist on Air Force One, he answered, “No, not really.” Earlier reports had suggested the Pentagon told the administration that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were ample to allow such a transfer.

Ukraine's Military Actions Persist Despite Missile Shortage

While Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to execute far-reaching attacks against Russian targets, it has still succeeded to wage a successful campaign using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Moscow's armed and strategic targets, including oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack targeted the port facility on the coast, causing a fire and harming two vessels, according to Moscow authorities. Nearby airfields in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkish Oil Plants Turn to Non-Russian Oil Sources

Turkey's largest oil refineries are increasing purchases of non-Russian crude in reaction to the recent international sanctions on Russia, as reported by industry insiders. Turkey is a significant purchaser of Russian crude, along with Beijing and India, but processing companies are mirroring India's lead in cutting back imports.

STAR Plant Expands Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azeri company SOCAR, has recently acquired four cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional non-Russian producers for year-end delivery, according to sources. These purchases amount to roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of non-Russian supply, depending on cargo size. By comparison, oil from Russia made up nearly the entirety of the STAR refinery's crude intake in recent months, totaling approximately 210,000 barrels per day, based on market data. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Increasing Alternative Buys

The other leading Turkey's oil processor – Tupras – was also raising acquisitions of non-Russian grades of crude, according to two insiders. Tupras was furthermore likely to in the near future entirely eliminate Russian crude at one of its primary major domestic plants to continue petroleum shipments to Europe without violating the EU’s upcoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Sends Elite Units to Eastern City

Ukraine has sent elite troops to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an intense Moscow's offensive comprising a large number of soldiers, as stated by Kyiv’s senior military leader. Pokrovsk, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a key supply line for the Kyiv's army and has been in Moscow’s crosshairs for more than a twelve months as Moscow pushes to control the whole eastern Donetsk area.

Recent Updates in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Moscow's soldiers had breached the city's defences, Kyiv reported last week, while military experts assessed that additional forces were advancing on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his evening speech on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the fighting in Pokrovsk and “successes in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Announces Enhanced Air Defense Network

The president, who has been urging his partners for more air defense systems to counter Russia’s strikes, announced on Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air defense capabilities with Germany’s support. “We have strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot element of our national air defense,” Zelenskyy said, mentioning the advanced American air-defence systems. Without providing additional details, the Ukrainian president specifically thanked Germany and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Civilians, Cut Electricity

Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles targeting Ukrainian territory killed no fewer than 6 people, among them 2 minors, and cut electricity to thousands of residents, officials reported on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the representatives of the country's prosecutor general. The victims were male minors of ages eleven and fourteen, said Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. Russia’s strikes cut power to the entire east Donetsk area as well as almost 58 thousand households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. The Vostok military unit confirmed some of its personnel were killed in one of the enemy attacks on the region.