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FormerPresident Trump stated this past Sunday that he was not seriously contemplating supplying Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a journalist on Air Force One, he responded, “No, not really.” Recent reports had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense informed the White House that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to allow such a delivery.

Ukraine's Military Actions Persist Without Weapon Shortage

While Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to execute far-reaching strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless managed to wage a effective campaign using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Russian military and strategic targets, including oil depots and refineries. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack struck the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a blaze and harming two ships, according to Moscow officials. Nearby Russian airports in the region also had to be shut down.

Turkish Oil Plants Turn to Alternative Oil Sources

Turkey's largest oil refining facilities are increasing purchases of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest international sanctions on Russia, as reported by industry insiders. The country is a significant buyer of oil from Russia, together with Beijing and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring India's lead in cutting back imports.

STAR Refinery Diversifies Oil Procurement

A major Turkey's refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has recently acquired four shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional non-Russian producers for December arrival, as per insiders. This represent roughly tens of thousands of barrels daily of non-Russian crude, depending on shipment volume. By comparison, oil from Russia accounted for virtually all of the STAR refinery's supply in October and September, amounting to approximately 210 thousand bpd, based on trade information. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Boosting Non-Russian Purchases

The other major Turkey's refiner – Tupras – was also raising acquisitions of non-Russian types of crude, according to two sources. The company was furthermore likely to soon completely eliminate imports from Russia at one of its primary major domestic refineries to maintain petroleum shipments to the EU without violating the European Union's incoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a request for comment.

Ukraine Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has sent elite troops to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an intense Russian assault comprising thousands of soldiers, according to Ukraine's top military leader. Pokrovsk, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a major supply route for the Kyiv's military and has been under Russia's sights for more than a twelve months as Russia aims to control the entire east Donetsk area.

Recent Developments in Pokrovsk

No fewer than two hundred Russian soldiers had penetrated the city's defences, Ukrainian officials reported recently, while analysts concluded that others were closing in on its perimeter in a encircling movement. In his evening address on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the fighting in Pokrovsk and “results in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Reveals Strengthened Air Defense Network

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for additional air defense systems to counter Russia’s attacks, announced on this past Sunday that the country had reinforced its air defense network with Germany’s assistance. “We have boosted the Patriot component of our national air defense,” Zelenskyy said, referring to the sophisticated U.S.-made air-defence systems. Not providing further details, the Ukrainian leader singled out Berlin and its leader, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Russian Attacks Claim Innocents, Cut Power

Russian unmanned aircraft and rockets fired at Ukraine took the lives of no fewer than six people, including two minors, and disrupted power to tens of thousands of households, authorities reported on Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the representatives of the country's chief prosecutor. The children were two boys aged eleven and fourteen, stated Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. The attacks disrupted power to the entire eastern Donetsk area as well as almost 58,000 homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. Ukraine’s Eastern military unit confirmed a number of its personnel were killed in one of the enemy strikes on the region.