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FormerPresident Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he is not seriously planning sending Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a reporter on his plane, he responded, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier accounts had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense told the White House that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow such a transfer.

Ukraine's Military Actions Continue Despite Missile Lack

While Ukraine has been requesting 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 rockets against Moscow's military and strategic objectives, including oil depots and refineries. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack hit the port facility on the coast, causing a fire and harming two vessels, according to Russian authorities. Adjacent Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkish Refineries Shift to Non-Russian Oil Supplies

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

STAR Refinery Expands Crude Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, the STAR refinery, operated by Azeri firm SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and additional non-Russian suppliers for year-end delivery, according to sources. This represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative crude, depending on shipment volume. By comparison, Russian crude made up nearly all of the plant's supply in recent months, totaling approximately 210,000 barrels per day, according to market data. SOCAR declined to comment.

Tupras Likewise Boosting Alternative Buys

Another leading Turkish oil processor – Tupras refinery – was also increasing acquisitions of alternative types of crude, according to two insiders. Tupras was furthermore expected to in the near future completely eliminate imports from Russia at a key facility of its primary major domestic refineries to continue fuel shipments to the EU without breaching the European Union's incoming sanctions. Tupras declined to comment to a inquiry for a statement.

Ukrainian Sends Special Forces to Eastern City

Ukraine has deployed special forces to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an fierce Russian offensive comprising thousands of troops, as stated by Kyiv’s top commander. Pokrovsk, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a major supply line for the Kyiv's military and has been in Russia's crosshairs for more than a year as Russia aims to seize the entire east Donetsk area.

Latest Developments in the City

At least 200 Russian soldiers had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Ukrainian officials reported recently, while analysts assessed that others were advancing on its perimeter in a encircling maneuver. In his evening speech on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in the city and “results in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Announces Strengthened Air Defense Network

The president, who has been pushing his partners for more air defences to counter Russia’s attacks, stated on Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air-defence network with Berlin's assistance. “We have boosted the U.S.-made Patriot element of our national air defence,” he declared, referring to the sophisticated U.S.-made defense systems. Without providing additional information, the Ukraine's leader singled out Germany and its leader, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Innocents, Disrupt Electricity

Moscow's drones and rockets fired at Ukraine killed at least six individuals, including 2 minors, and disrupted power to thousands of residents, authorities reported on this past Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the office of the country's prosecutor general. The victims were two boys of ages 11 and fourteen, stated the nation's ombudsman. The attacks cut electricity to the whole eastern Donetsk region as well as nearly 58 thousand homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. Ukraine’s Eastern army group confirmed some of its members were killed in one of the enemy attacks on the region.