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Ex-President Donald Trump indicated on Sunday that he was not actively planning providing Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. In response to a query by a journalist aboard his plane, he responded, “No, not really.” Earlier accounts had suggested the Pentagon told the White House that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to enable such a transfer.

Ukrainian Defense Efforts Persist Despite Weapon Lack

While Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to execute far-reaching attacks against Russia, it has still succeeded to conduct a successful operation using its domestically-produced drones and missiles against Moscow's military and strategic targets, including oil depots and refineries. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike hit the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a blaze and damaging two ships, as stated by Moscow authorities. Nearby airfields in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkey Oil Plants Turn to Non-Russian Oil Supplies

Ankara's biggest oil refineries are increasing purchases of non-Russian crude in response to the latest international sanctions on Moscow, as reported by market sources. The country is a significant purchaser of Russian crude, along with Beijing and India, but refiners are mirroring India's lead in cutting back supplies.

STAR Plant Expands Oil Procurement

A major Turkish refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azeri firm SOCAR, has recently acquired four shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and other alternative suppliers for December delivery, as per sources. This represent approximately tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian supply, varying by cargo size. By comparison, Russian crude accounted for nearly the entirety of the plant's supply in October and September, totaling about 210 thousand bpd, according to market data. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Increasing Alternative Buys

Another leading Turkey's refiner – Tupras refinery – was also raising acquisitions of alternative types of crude, as stated by multiple sources. Tupras was also expected to soon entirely phase out imports from Russia at a key facility of its two major Turkish refineries to continue fuel exports to the EU without violating the EU’s upcoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for a statement.

Ukrainian Sends Special Forces to Eastern City

Kyiv has sent elite troops to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an fierce Moscow's offensive involving thousands of soldiers, as stated by Ukraine's top commander. The city, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a key supply line for the Kyiv's military and has been under Russia's sights for over a year as Russia aims to control the entire eastern Donetsk region.

Latest Updates in the City

No fewer than two hundred Russian troops had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Ukrainian officials said recently, while analysts concluded that others were advancing on its outskirts in a encircling maneuver. In his nightly speech on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the combat in the city and “successes in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Announces Strengthened Air Defense System

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his partners for additional air defense systems to hold off Moscow's strikes, announced on this past Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air defense capabilities with Berlin's support. “We have strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” he declared, mentioning the advanced U.S.-made defense systems. Not providing additional details, the Ukraine's leader singled out Berlin and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Innocents, Cut Electricity

Russian drones and missiles fired at Ukraine killed at least six people, including two minors, and disrupted electricity to tens of thousands of residents, officials reported on Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the office of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The children were male minors aged 11 and 14, stated the nation's human rights commissioner. Russia’s attacks disrupted power to the whole eastern Donetsk region as well as nearly 58 thousand homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Vostok military unit said a number of its members were killed in one of the enemy strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.