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FormerPresident Donald Trump remarked on Sunday that he was not seriously considering supplying Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a journalist aboard his plane, he responded, “No, not really.” Recent reports had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense told the administration that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were ample to enable this delivery.

Ukrainian Military Efforts Continue Despite Missile Lack

Although Ukrainian forces has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching attacks against Russia, it has still managed to wage a effective campaign using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Russian armed and key objectives, such as oil depots and processing plants. On Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack targeted the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a fire and damaging two vessels, according to Moscow authorities. Adjacent airfields in the area also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Alternative Crude Supplies

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are boosting procurement of alternative crude in response to the recent international restrictions on Moscow, as reported by market sources. Turkey is a significant buyer of oil from Russia, together with Beijing and New Delhi, but refiners are mirroring India's lead in cutting back imports.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Expands Crude Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), owned by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and other alternative suppliers for year-end delivery, according to sources. This amount to roughly tens of thousands of barrels daily of non-Russian supply, varying by cargo size. In contrast, Russian crude made up virtually all of the STAR refinery's supply in October and September, amounting to approximately 210 thousand bpd, based on market data. SOCAR refused to comment.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Non-Russian Purchases

Another leading Turkey's refiner – Tupras refinery – was also raising purchases of non-Russian types of crude, as stated by multiple sources. Tupras was also expected to in the near future entirely phase out imports from Russia at one of its primary major Turkish plants to continue fuel shipments to the EU without violating the European Union's upcoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Sends Elite Units to Eastern City

Ukraine has sent special forces to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an intense Moscow's offensive involving thousands of troops, according to Kyiv’s top military leader. Pokrovsk, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a key supply line for the Ukrainian army and has been under Moscow’s crosshairs for over a twelve months as Moscow pushes to seize the entire east Donetsk area.

Latest Updates in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Russian troops had breached Pokrovsk’s defences, Kyiv reported last week, while analysts assessed that additional forces were advancing on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped movement. In his evening address on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the fighting in the city and “successes in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Announces Strengthened Air Defence Network

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for additional air defense systems to hold off Moscow's strikes, stated on Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence capabilities with Berlin's support. “We have boosted the U.S.-made Patriot component of our national air defense,” he declared, referring to the advanced U.S.-made air-defence systems. Not offering additional details, the Ukraine's president specifically thanked Berlin and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Russian Attacks Claim Civilians, Cut Power

Moscow's drones and rockets targeting Ukraine took the lives of at least six individuals, including two children, and disrupted electricity to thousands of households, officials reported on this past Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the office of Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The victims were male minors aged 11 and 14, said Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. Russia’s attacks disrupted power to the whole east Donetsk region as well as almost 58 thousand households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. Ukraine’s Eastern army group said a number of its members were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on the region.