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FormerPresident Trump indicated this past Sunday that he was not actively planning sending Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a reporter aboard his plane, he replied, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier accounts had claimed the U.S. Department of Defense informed the White House that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to enable such a transfer.

Ukraine's Defense Actions Continue Without Missile Shortage

Although Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to wage a successful campaign using its own drones and missiles against Moscow's armed and key objectives, such as fuel storage facilities and processing plants. On Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike struck the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a blaze and harming two vessels, according to Russian authorities. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkish Oil Plants Turn to Non-Russian Oil Supplies

Ankara's biggest oil refineries are boosting purchases of alternative crude in reaction to the latest western sanctions on Moscow, according to market sources. Turkey is a significant purchaser of oil from Russia, together with Beijing and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring India's example in cutting back supplies.

STAR Refinery Diversifies Oil Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has lately purchased four cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and other non-Russian suppliers for year-end arrival, as per sources. This amount to approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative crude, varying by 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, according to market information. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Increasing Alternative Purchases

Another major Turkey's refiner – Tupras – was additionally increasing acquisitions of non-Russian grades of crude, according to two sources. Tupras was also expected to in the near future completely phase out imports from Russia at one of its primary main domestic refineries to continue fuel shipments to Europe without breaching the EU’s incoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Sends Elite Units to Eastern City

Ukraine has sent elite troops to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an fierce Russian assault comprising thousands of troops, according to Kyiv’s senior military leader. The city, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply line for the Kyiv's military and has been in Moscow’s sights for over a year as Russia aims to seize the entire eastern Donetsk region.

Latest Developments in Pokrovsk

No fewer than two hundred Russian soldiers had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defences, Kyiv reported recently, while analysts concluded that additional forces were closing in on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped movement. In his nightly speech on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the fighting in the city and “results in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for additional air defense systems to hold off Russia’s attacks, announced on this past Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air defense capabilities with Germany’s support. “We have strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot element of our national air defence,” Zelenskyy said, mentioning the sophisticated U.S.-made defense systems. Without providing additional details, the Ukrainian president singled out Berlin and its leader, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Russian Attacks Claim Innocents, Cut Power

Moscow's unmanned aircraft and rockets targeting Ukraine took the lives of no fewer than 6 individuals, including 2 minors, and cut electricity to thousands of households, authorities reported on Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the office of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The children were two boys of ages eleven and fourteen, said the nation's human rights commissioner. The strikes disrupted power to the entire eastern Donetsk area as well as nearly 58 thousand households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. Ukraine’s Vostok army group said a number of its members were killed in a particular of the Russian strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.