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Ex-President Donald Trump indicated this past Sunday that he is not actively considering providing Ukraine with advanced Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a reporter aboard Air Force One, he replied, “No, not at the moment.” Recent reports had suggested the Pentagon informed the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to enable such a delivery.

Ukrainian Defense Actions Continue Without Missile Shortage

While Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to execute far-reaching strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to wage a successful operation using its own drones and missiles against Moscow's military and strategic targets, such as oil depots and processing plants. On Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike targeted the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a blaze and harming two vessels, as stated by Russian officials. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkish Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Oil Sources

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are boosting procurement of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest western sanctions on Russia, according to industry insiders. Turkey is a significant purchaser of Russian crude, together with Beijing and India, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's example in reducing imports.

STAR Refinery Diversifies Crude Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, the STAR refinery, operated by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and additional alternative suppliers for year-end arrival, as per sources. This amount to roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative crude, depending on shipment volume. In contrast, oil from Russia made up virtually the entirety of the plant's supply in October and September, totaling approximately 210,000 barrels per day, according to trade information. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Purchases

The other major Turkish oil processor – Tupras refinery – was also raising purchases of non-Russian grades of crude, as stated by multiple sources. Tupras was also expected to soon entirely phase out imports from Russia at one of its primary major Turkish refineries to maintain fuel exports to the EU without violating the EU’s upcoming sanctions. Tupras declined to comment to a inquiry for a statement.

Ukraine Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has deployed special forces to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an intense Moscow's assault involving a large number of soldiers, according to Ukraine's senior commander. The city, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a key logistical route for the Ukrainian army and has been in Russia's crosshairs for over a twelve months as Russia aims to control the entire east Donetsk region.

Recent Updates in Pokrovsk

At least 200 Moscow's soldiers had breached the city's defences, Ukrainian officials reported last week, while analysts concluded that additional forces were closing in on its outskirts in a encircling movement. In his nightly address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “successes in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Announces Strengthened Air Defence Network

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for additional air defences to hold off Russia’s attacks, announced on Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence network with Germany’s support. “We have boosted the U.S.-made Patriot component of our national air defense,” he declared, referring to the sophisticated U.S.-made air-defence systems. Without providing additional details, the Ukrainian leader specifically thanked Germany and its leader, the German chancellor, for gratitude.

Russian Strikes Claim Innocents, Disrupt Electricity

Moscow's drones and missiles targeting Ukrainian territory killed no fewer than 6 individuals, including two minors, and cut power to tens of thousands of residents, authorities reported on this past Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the representatives of the country's chief prosecutor. The victims were male minors of ages 11 and fourteen, stated Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. The strikes cut power to the entire east Donetsk region as well as almost 58,000 households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. The Eastern military unit confirmed some of its members were killed in one of the Russian strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.