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FormerPresident Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he is not seriously considering providing Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a journalist on Air Force One, he replied, “No, not currently.” Recent reports had claimed the Pentagon informed the administration that American inventories of Tomahawks were ample to allow this transfer.

Ukraine's Military Efforts Persist Without Weapon Shortage

Although Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to carry out long-range attacks against Russian targets, it has nonetheless managed to conduct a effective operation using its domestically-produced drones and missiles against Russian armed and key objectives, including oil depots and refineries. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack hit the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a blaze and damaging two vessels, according to Russian authorities. Nearby Russian airports in the region also had to be shut down.

Turkey Oil Plants Turn to Alternative Oil Supplies

Ankara's largest oil refining facilities are boosting procurement of alternative crude in reaction to the recent western restrictions on Moscow, according to market sources. Turkey is a major buyer of oil from Russia, together with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are following India's lead in reducing imports.

STAR Plant Diversifies Oil Procurement

One of the largest Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, operated by Azeri company SOCAR, has recently purchased four shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and additional non-Russian suppliers for December delivery, as per insiders. This amount to approximately tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian crude, varying by cargo size. By comparison, oil from Russia made up virtually the entirety of the plant's supply in October and September, totaling approximately 210,000 bpd, based on market data. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Alternative Purchases

The other major Turkish refiner – Tupras – was additionally increasing purchases of non-Russian types of crude, as stated by two sources. Tupras was furthermore expected to soon entirely eliminate imports from Russia at a key facility of its two major Turkish refineries to continue fuel exports to the EU without violating the European Union's incoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Deploys Elite Units to Eastern City

Kyiv has sent special forces to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an intense Moscow's offensive involving thousands of soldiers, as stated by Ukraine's senior military leader. The city, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a key supply line for the Ukrainian army and has been in Russia's crosshairs for more than a twelve months as Moscow aims to control the entire eastern Donetsk region.

Recent Developments in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Moscow's soldiers had breached Pokrovsk’s defences, Ukrainian officials reported last week, while military experts assessed that additional forces were closing in on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his nightly speech on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “successes in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defence System

The president, who has been urging his allies for more air defense systems to counter Moscow's strikes, stated on this past Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air defense network with Germany’s assistance. “We've strengthened the Patriot component of our national air defence,” Zelenskyy said, mentioning the advanced American defense systems. Without providing additional details, the Ukraine's leader specifically thanked Berlin and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Claim Civilians, Cut Electricity

Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles targeting Ukraine killed no fewer than six people, among them two children, and disrupted electricity to thousands of households, authorities reported on Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the representatives of the country's prosecutor general. The children were two boys of ages eleven and 14, stated Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. Russia’s strikes disrupted power to the whole east Donetsk area as well as almost 58,000 homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Eastern army group said a number of its personnel were killed in one of the Russian strikes on the region.