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Ex-President Trump remarked this past Sunday that he was not seriously contemplating providing Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. In response to a query by a reporter on his plane, he replied, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier accounts had suggested the Pentagon told the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to allow this delivery.

Ukrainian Defense Efforts Persist Despite Missile Lack

Although Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless managed to conduct a effective campaign using its own drones and rockets against Moscow's armed and key objectives, including fuel storage facilities and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike struck the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a fire and damaging two vessels, as stated by Russian officials. Adjacent Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Shift to Non-Russian Oil Sources

Ankara's largest oil refining facilities are boosting procurement of non-Russian crude in reaction to the recent western sanctions on Russia, as reported by industry insiders. The country is a major purchaser of Russian crude, along with China and India, but processing companies are mirroring India's example in reducing supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Diversifies Crude Sources

A major Turkish refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azeri firm SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and other non-Russian producers for year-end delivery, according to insiders. These purchases amount to roughly tens of thousands of barrels daily of non-Russian crude, varying by shipment volume. By comparison, Russian crude made up virtually the entirety of the plant's crude intake in recent months, amounting to approximately 210,000 bpd, based on trade data. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Buys

The other major Turkey's oil processor – Tupras – was also raising purchases of non-Russian grades of crude, according to multiple sources. The company was furthermore likely to in the near future entirely phase out Russian crude at a key facility of its two main Turkish refineries to maintain petroleum exports to Europe without violating the European Union's upcoming restrictions. Tupras declined to comment to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Sends Special Forces to Eastern City

Kyiv has sent elite troops to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an intense Moscow's assault involving a large number of soldiers, according to Ukraine's senior commander. The city, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a key logistical route for the Ukrainian army and has been under Russia's sights for over a year as Russia aims to control the whole eastern Donetsk region.

Latest Developments in Pokrovsk

No fewer than two hundred Moscow's soldiers had breached the city's defensive lines, Kyiv reported recently, while military experts concluded that others were closing in on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his nightly speech on Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the fighting in Pokrovsk and “successes in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defence Network

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

Russian Attacks Claim Civilians, Cut Power

Moscow's drones and missiles fired at Ukrainian territory took the lives of at least six individuals, among them two minors, and disrupted power to tens of thousands of households, authorities said on this past Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the office of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The children were two boys of ages 11 and 14, stated the nation's human rights commissioner. Russia’s strikes cut power to the whole east Donetsk region as well as nearly 58 thousand households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Vostok army group confirmed some of its personnel were killed in one of the enemy attacks on the region.