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FormerPresident Trump indicated on Sunday that he was not actively planning sending Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a reporter aboard his plane, he answered, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier accounts had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to allow this transfer.

Ukrainian Defense Efforts Continue Despite Weapon Lack

While Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to execute far-reaching strikes against Russian targets, it has still managed to conduct a effective operation using its own drones and missiles against Russian armed and strategic targets, including fuel storage facilities and refineries. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike struck the port facility on the coast, igniting a blaze and harming two vessels, according to Russian officials. Adjacent airfields in the region also had to be shut down.

Turkey Oil Plants Shift to Non-Russian Crude Supplies

Ankara's biggest oil refineries are increasing procurement of alternative crude in reaction to the recent international restrictions on Russia, according to industry insiders. Turkey is a significant buyer of oil from Russia, together with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring India's lead in reducing supplies.

STAR Refinery Expands Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkey's refineries, the STAR refinery, operated by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has recently acquired four cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional alternative suppliers for December arrival, as per sources. These purchases represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of alternative crude, depending on shipment volume. In contrast, Russian crude made up virtually the entirety of the plant's supply in recent months, totaling about 210 thousand bpd, according to market information. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Purchases

The other major Turkey's oil processor – Tupras refinery – was additionally raising purchases of alternative types of crude, as stated by two sources. The company was also expected to soon entirely phase out imports from Russia at one of its two main Turkish refineries to maintain fuel exports to the EU without violating the European Union's upcoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukrainian Deploys Special Forces to Eastern City

Kyiv has deployed special forces to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an intense Russian offensive involving a large number of troops, as stated by Kyiv’s senior commander. Pokrovsk, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply route for the Ukrainian army and has been in Russia's crosshairs for more than a twelve months as Russia pushes to control the whole eastern Donetsk area.

Recent Updates in Pokrovsk

No fewer than two hundred Russian troops had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Ukrainian officials said last week, while military experts concluded that others were advancing on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped movement. In his nightly address on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the fighting in the city and “results in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defense System

The president, who has been urging his partners for additional air defences to counter Russia’s attacks, announced on this past Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air defense capabilities with Germany’s support. “We have boosted the Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defense,” Zelenskyy said, mentioning the sophisticated U.S.-made air-defence systems. Not providing further details, the Ukrainian leader specifically thanked Berlin and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Russian Strikes Kill Innocents, Cut Electricity

Russian drones and rockets targeting Ukraine killed at least 6 individuals, including two children, and disrupted electricity to thousands of households, authorities said on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys of ages 11 and fourteen, stated the nation's ombudsman. The strikes cut power to the whole east Donetsk area as well as almost 58,000 households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. Ukraine’s Eastern army group said a number of its personnel were killed in one of the enemy strikes on the region.