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FormerPresident Trump stated on Sunday that he was not seriously contemplating sending Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. When questioned by a reporter aboard Air Force One, he answered, “No, not really.” Recent accounts had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense told the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to enable this delivery.

Ukraine's Military Efforts Continue Despite Weapon Lack

Although Ukraine has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to carry out far-reaching strikes against Russian targets, it has nonetheless managed to wage a effective campaign using its own drones and rockets against Russian military and strategic objectives, such as fuel storage facilities and refineries. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike struck the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a fire and damaging two vessels, as stated by Russian officials. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Alternative Oil Sources

Turkey's largest oil refineries are boosting procurement of alternative crude in reaction to the latest western restrictions on Moscow, as reported by industry sources. The country is a significant buyer of oil from Russia, along with Beijing and New Delhi, but refiners are mirroring India's example in cutting back supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Diversifies Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkish refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azeri firm SOCAR, has recently acquired four shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and other alternative suppliers for December arrival, according to insiders. This represent roughly tens of thousands of barrels daily of non-Russian crude, varying by shipment volume. In contrast, Russian crude accounted for virtually all of the STAR refinery's crude intake in recent months, totaling approximately 210 thousand bpd, according to trade information. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Also Increasing Non-Russian Purchases

The other leading Turkish refiner – Tupras refinery – was additionally increasing purchases of alternative types of crude, as stated by multiple sources. Tupras was furthermore likely to soon completely phase out Russian crude at one of its two main domestic refineries to continue petroleum shipments to Europe without violating the European Union's upcoming restrictions. The refiner declined to comment to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Sends Special Forces to Eastern City

Ukraine has sent special forces to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an intense Moscow's offensive comprising thousands of troops, according to Ukraine's top military leader. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a key supply line for the Kyiv's army and has been in Russia's crosshairs for more than a year as Moscow aims to control the entire eastern Donetsk region.

Latest Developments in Pokrovsk

No fewer than 200 Moscow's soldiers had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Kyiv said recently, while military experts concluded that others were closing in on its outskirts in a encircling maneuver. In his evening address on Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in the city and “successes in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Announces Strengthened Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his partners for additional air defense systems to counter Moscow's attacks, announced on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air defense network with Germany’s support. “We have boosted the U.S.-made Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defence,” he declared, referring to the advanced American defense systems. Without offering additional details, the Ukraine's president singled out Germany and its leader, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Russian Attacks Kill Civilians, Disrupt Power

Russian unmanned aircraft and rockets targeting Ukraine took the lives of no fewer than six individuals, including two children, and disrupted power to thousands of residents, authorities reported on this past Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the representatives of the country's prosecutor general. The victims were two boys aged 11 and 14, said Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. Russia’s strikes disrupted power to the whole eastern Donetsk region as well as almost 58 thousand households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. The Vostok military unit confirmed a number of its members were killed in one of the Russian attacks on the region.