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Ex-President Trump indicated on Sunday that he is not really contemplating providing Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. In response to a query by a journalist on his plane, he responded, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier reports had claimed the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were ample to enable such a transfer.

Ukraine's Defense Efforts Persist Without Missile Lack

While Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to carry out long-range strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to wage a effective operation using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Moscow's military and key objectives, such as fuel storage facilities and refineries. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack hit the port facility on the coast, igniting a blaze and damaging two vessels, as stated by Russian authorities. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be shut down.

Turkey Oil Plants Turn to Non-Russian Oil Supplies

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are increasing purchases of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest western restrictions on Russia, as reported by market insiders. Turkey is a major purchaser of oil from Russia, together with China and New Delhi, but refiners are mirroring New Delhi's example in reducing imports.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Expands Oil Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), owned by Azeri firm SOCAR, has lately acquired four cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and additional non-Russian producers for year-end arrival, as per insiders. This represent roughly tens of thousands of barrels daily of alternative supply, varying by shipment volume. In contrast, oil from Russia made up nearly all of the STAR refinery's supply in October and September, totaling approximately 210 thousand bpd, based on market information. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Boosting Alternative Buys

Another major Turkish refiner – Tupras – was additionally increasing purchases of alternative grades of crude, according to two insiders. The company was also likely to soon completely phase out imports from Russia at one of its two main Turkish plants to maintain fuel exports to the EU without violating the EU’s upcoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for a statement.

Ukraine Sends Special Forces to Eastern City

Ukraine has deployed elite troops to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an intense Russian offensive involving thousands of soldiers, as stated by Ukraine's senior military leader. The city, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a key logistical route for the Kyiv's military and has been in Moscow’s sights for over a year as Moscow pushes to control the whole east Donetsk area.

Recent Updates in the City

At least 200 Russian soldiers had breached Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Kyiv reported recently, while military experts assessed that additional forces were advancing on its perimeter in a encircling maneuver. In his nightly address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in the city and “successes in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Announces Enhanced Air Defence System

The president, who has been pushing his allies for additional air defense systems to counter Russia’s attacks, stated on this past Sunday that the country had reinforced its air-defence capabilities with Berlin's support. “We have boosted the U.S.-made Patriot component of our national air defence,” he said, mentioning the sophisticated American air-defence systems. Not providing additional information, the Ukrainian president singled out Germany and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Russian Strikes Kill Civilians, Disrupt Power

Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles targeting Ukrainian territory killed at least six people, including 2 children, and cut electricity to tens of thousands of households, authorities reported on this past Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the representatives of the country's chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys of ages 11 and fourteen, said the nation's human rights commissioner. Russia’s attacks disrupted power to the whole eastern Donetsk region as well as nearly 58 thousand households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. The Eastern military unit said some of its members were killed in one of the enemy attacks on the region.