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Ex-President Trump remarked this past Sunday that he was not really contemplating sending Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a reporter on his plane, he responded, “No, not really.” Recent accounts had indicated the Pentagon told the administration that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to enable such a delivery.

Ukraine's Defense Efforts Persist Despite Missile Shortage

Although Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to carry out far-reaching attacks against Russian targets, it has nonetheless managed to conduct a successful operation using its domestically-produced drones and missiles against Moscow's military and key objectives, including fuel storage facilities and refineries. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack targeted the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a blaze and harming two ships, according to Russian officials. Nearby Russian airports in the region also had to be closed.

Turkish Refineries Shift to Alternative Oil Sources

Ankara's largest oil refining facilities are boosting procurement of non-Russian crude in response to the latest western restrictions on Moscow, as reported by industry insiders. Turkey is a major buyer of Russian crude, along with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring India's example in cutting back supplies.

STAR Refinery Diversifies Oil Sources

A major Turkish refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azeri firm SOCAR, has recently acquired multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional alternative suppliers for December arrival, as per insiders. This amount to approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative crude, depending on cargo size. By comparison, Russian crude accounted for nearly all of the STAR refinery's crude intake in recent months, amounting to approximately 210,000 barrels per day, according to trade data. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Non-Russian Purchases

The other leading Turkey's refiner – Tupras – was additionally raising purchases of alternative grades of crude, according to multiple sources. The company was furthermore likely to in the near future entirely eliminate imports from Russia at one of its primary main domestic refineries to maintain fuel shipments to Europe without breaching the European Union's upcoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukrainian Sends Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has sent elite troops to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an intense Moscow's offensive involving a large number of soldiers, as stated by Ukraine's senior military leader. The city, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply line for the Ukrainian army and has been in Russia's crosshairs for more than a twelve months as Moscow pushes to control the entire east Donetsk area.

Recent Updates in Pokrovsk

No fewer than 200 Moscow's troops had breached the city's defences, Kyiv reported last week, while analysts concluded that others were advancing on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his evening speech on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the fighting in the city and “results in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Reveals Strengthened Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for additional air defense systems to counter Russia’s strikes, stated on Sunday that the country had reinforced its air defense capabilities with Berlin's assistance. “We have boosted the Patriot component of our national air defence,” Zelenskyy declared, mentioning the advanced American defense systems. Not providing further details, the Ukraine's president specifically thanked Berlin and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Moscow's Strikes Kill Innocents, Disrupt Electricity

Moscow's unmanned aircraft and rockets targeting Ukraine took the lives of at least 6 individuals, including two minors, and disrupted power to tens of thousands of residents, officials said on Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the representatives of the country's chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys of ages 11 and 14, said Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. Russia’s attacks disrupted electricity to the entire eastern Donetsk area as well as almost 58,000 households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. The Vostok military unit said a number of its members were killed in one of the enemy strikes on the region.