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FormerPresident Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he was not really contemplating supplying Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a reporter aboard Air Force One, he responded, “No, not currently.” Earlier reports had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense informed the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow this delivery.

Ukraine's Defense Actions Persist Without Missile Lack

While Ukrainian forces has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range strikes against Russian targets, it has still managed to wage a successful campaign 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 Ukrainian airstrike targeted the port facility on the Black Sea, igniting a fire and harming two ships, according to Russian officials. Adjacent Russian airports in the region also had to be closed.

Turkish Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Oil Supplies

Turkey's largest oil refineries are boosting procurement of alternative crude in reaction to the latest international restrictions on Russia, according to industry insiders. Turkey is a major buyer of Russian crude, together with China and New Delhi, but refiners are mirroring India's lead in cutting back supplies.

STAR Refinery Expands Oil Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has recently purchased multiple shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional alternative suppliers for year-end delivery, according to insiders. This represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian supply, depending on shipment volume. By comparison, oil from Russia accounted for nearly all of the STAR refinery's supply in October and September, totaling approximately 210 thousand barrels per day, based on trade data. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Increasing Alternative Buys

Another leading Turkish refiner – Tupras – was also increasing purchases of alternative grades of crude, according to two sources. Tupras was also likely to in the near future completely phase out imports from Russia at one of its two main Turkish plants to maintain fuel shipments to Europe without violating the EU’s incoming restrictions. The refiner declined to comment 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 repel an fierce Moscow's offensive involving a large number of soldiers, as stated by Kyiv’s senior commander. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a key logistical line for the Kyiv's army and has been in Moscow’s crosshairs for over a twelve months as Moscow aims to seize the whole eastern Donetsk area.

Latest Updates in Pokrovsk

At least 200 Russian soldiers had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Ukrainian officials said last week, while analysts assessed that additional forces were advancing on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped movement. In his evening address on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Announces Strengthened Air Defense Network

The president, who has been urging his partners for additional air defences to hold off Moscow's strikes, announced on this past Sunday that the country had reinforced its air defense network with Germany’s support. “We have boosted the U.S.-made Patriot component of our national air defence,” he declared, referring to the sophisticated American air-defence systems. Not providing further details, the Ukraine's leader specifically thanked Berlin and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Civilians, Cut Electricity

Moscow's drones and missiles fired at Ukraine killed at least 6 individuals, including 2 children, and cut electricity to thousands of households, officials reported on this past Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the representatives of Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The children were male minors aged 11 and 14, stated Ukraine’s ombudsman. The attacks cut power to the whole east Donetsk area as well as nearly 58 thousand homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. The Eastern army group confirmed some of its members were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on the region.