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FormerPresident Trump indicated on Sunday that he is not seriously considering supplying Ukraine with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. In response to a query by a reporter aboard his plane, he answered, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier reports had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense informed the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow such a delivery.

Ukrainian Military Efforts Persist Despite Missile Shortage

Although Ukrainian forces has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching attacks against Russia, it has still managed to conduct a effective campaign using its own drones and rockets against Russian military and strategic objectives, such as fuel storage facilities and refineries. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack hit the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a fire and harming two vessels, as stated by Russian authorities. Adjacent airfields in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Alternative Crude Sources

Turkey's largest oil refining facilities are increasing purchases of alternative crude in reaction to the latest international restrictions on Moscow, according to industry insiders. The country is a significant purchaser of Russian crude, together with Beijing and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's lead in reducing supplies.

STAR Refinery Expands Oil Procurement

One of the largest Turkey's refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has recently acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional non-Russian suppliers for December delivery, as per sources. This amount to approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of non-Russian supply, depending on cargo size. By comparison, Russian crude accounted for nearly the entirety of the plant's supply in October and September, amounting to approximately 210 thousand barrels per day, based on trade information. SOCAR declined to comment.

Tupras Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Buys

The other leading Turkish refiner – Tupras – was additionally increasing purchases of non-Russian types of crude, according to multiple sources. The company was furthermore likely to soon entirely phase out imports from Russia at a key facility of its two main domestic refineries to maintain petroleum exports to Europe without violating the European Union's upcoming sanctions. The refiner declined to comment to a request for comment.

Ukrainian Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has deployed special forces to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an intense Moscow's assault involving a large number of troops, as stated by Ukraine's senior commander. Pokrovsk, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a major supply route for the Ukrainian military and has been in Russia's sights for over a twelve months as Russia pushes to control the whole eastern Donetsk area.

Recent Developments in the City

At least 200 Russian soldiers had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, 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 Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Announces Enhanced Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for additional air defense systems to counter Moscow's attacks, announced on this past Sunday that the country had reinforced its air-defence network with Berlin's assistance. “We have strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot component of our national air defense,” he said, referring to the sophisticated U.S.-made air-defence systems. Without offering further details, the Ukraine's leader singled out Germany and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for gratitude.

Russian Attacks Kill Innocents, Disrupt Electricity

Russian drones and rockets fired at Ukraine took the lives of no fewer than 6 individuals, among them 2 children, and disrupted power to thousands of households, officials said on this past Sunday. Moscow's military attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the representatives of the country's prosecutor general. The children were two boys of ages 11 and fourteen, said Ukraine’s ombudsman. Russia’s strikes cut power to the whole eastern Donetsk region as well as nearly 58,000 households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Vostok army group said some of its members were killed in one of the Russian strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.