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FormerPresident Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he was not seriously considering supplying Ukraine with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a reporter aboard Air Force One, he replied, “No, not really.” Earlier accounts had claimed the U.S. Department of Defense told the White House that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were adequate to enable such a delivery.

Ukraine's Military Actions Persist Without Weapon Shortage

While Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to conduct long-range strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to conduct a successful operation using its own drones and missiles against Russian armed and key targets, including oil depots and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack hit the Tuapse oil port on the Black Sea, causing a fire and harming two ships, according to Moscow officials. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Alternative Crude Sources

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are boosting purchases of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest western restrictions on Russia, according to industry sources. The country is a significant purchaser of oil from Russia, together with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are following India's example in cutting back supplies.

STAR Refinery Diversifies Oil Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, the STAR refinery, owned by Azeri firm SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and other non-Russian producers for December delivery, according to sources. This amount to approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of non-Russian supply, depending on cargo size. In contrast, oil from Russia accounted for virtually all of the STAR refinery's supply in October and September, amounting to about 210 thousand bpd, based on market information. SOCAR declined to comment.

Tupras Also Boosting Non-Russian Purchases

The other leading Turkish oil processor – Tupras refinery – was also increasing acquisitions of alternative grades of crude, according to multiple insiders. The company was also likely to in the near future completely eliminate Russian crude at one of its two main Turkish plants to maintain petroleum exports to Europe without breaching the European Union's upcoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Sends Elite Units to Eastern City

Kyiv has deployed elite troops to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an fierce Russian offensive comprising a large number of troops, according to Ukraine's top commander. The city, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a major logistical line for the Ukrainian military and has been in Moscow’s sights for over a twelve months as Moscow pushes to seize the whole east Donetsk area.

Latest Developments in the City

No fewer than two hundred Russian troops had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Kyiv said last week, while analysts assessed that others were advancing on its perimeter in a encircling movement. In his nightly address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the combat in Pokrovsk and “successes in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Announces Enhanced Air Defence System

The president, who has been urging his partners for additional air defense systems to hold off Russia’s attacks, announced on Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air-defence capabilities with Germany’s support. “We have strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defence,” Zelenskyy declared, referring to the advanced U.S.-made air-defence systems. Without providing additional details, the Ukraine's president singled out Germany and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Russian Attacks Claim Civilians, Cut Electricity

Moscow's unmanned aircraft and missiles fired at Ukrainian territory took the lives of no fewer than 6 individuals, including 2 children, and cut power to thousands of households, authorities reported on this past Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys aged 11 and 14, said the nation's ombudsman. Russia’s attacks disrupted electricity to the whole eastern Donetsk area as well as almost 58 thousand homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors said. Ukraine’s Vostok army group said some of its members were killed in a particular of the Russian strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.