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Ex-President Trump indicated on Sunday that he was not actively considering supplying Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. When questioned by a reporter aboard Air Force One, he answered, “No, not at the moment.” Recent reports had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense told the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to allow this delivery.

Ukrainian Military Actions Persist Without Missile Lack

While Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching attacks against Russian targets, it has still managed to wage a successful campaign using its own drones and rockets against Moscow's military and key targets, such as oil depots and refineries. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike targeted the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a blaze and harming two ships, as stated by Moscow authorities. Nearby Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkish Refineries Turn to Alternative Oil Sources

Turkey's largest oil refineries are boosting procurement of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest western restrictions on Russia, according to industry insiders. The country is a major purchaser of Russian crude, together with Beijing and India, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's example in cutting back imports.

STAR Refinery Diversifies Oil Procurement

One of the largest Turkish refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), owned by Azeri company SOCAR, has recently purchased four shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other non-Russian suppliers for year-end arrival, as per sources. These purchases represent roughly tens of thousands of barrels daily of non-Russian supply, depending on shipment volume. By comparison, oil from Russia made up virtually the entirety of the plant's crude intake in recent months, totaling approximately 210,000 bpd, according to market data. SOCAR declined to comment.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Buys

Another major Turkey's refiner – Tupras – was additionally raising purchases of alternative types of crude, according to two insiders. Tupras was furthermore expected to soon completely phase out imports from Russia at one of its primary main Turkish plants to continue petroleum shipments to the EU without violating the European Union's upcoming sanctions. The refiner declined to comment to a request for comment.

Ukraine Sends Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has sent special forces to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an intense Moscow's assault involving a large number of soldiers, according to Kyiv’s top commander. The city, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a key supply route for the Ukrainian military and has been in Russia's crosshairs for over a twelve months as Moscow pushes to seize the entire eastern Donetsk area.

Recent Updates in the City

No fewer than 200 Moscow's troops had breached the city's defences, Kyiv said recently, while analysts concluded that additional forces were advancing on its outskirts in a encircling movement. In his nightly address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the fighting in the city and “results in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Strengthened Air Defense Network

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his partners for more air defense systems to counter Moscow's attacks, announced on Sunday that the country had strengthened its air defense network with Berlin's assistance. “We've strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” he declared, referring to the advanced American air-defence systems. Not providing further details, the Ukraine's president singled out Berlin and its leader, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Moscow's Strikes Kill Civilians, Cut Power

Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles targeting Ukraine killed no fewer than six individuals, including 2 minors, and disrupted electricity to thousands of residents, officials said on Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the representatives of the country's chief prosecutor. The children were two boys aged eleven and 14, stated the nation's ombudsman. The strikes disrupted electricity to the entire east Donetsk region as well as almost 58,000 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors said. Ukraine’s Eastern military unit said a number of its members were killed in one of the Russian attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.