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FormerPresident Trump stated this past Sunday that he is not really planning sending Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a reporter aboard his plane, he answered, “No, not currently.” Recent reports had suggested the Pentagon informed the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow this transfer.

Ukrainian Military Actions Continue Despite Weapon Shortage

Although Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to carry out far-reaching attacks against Russian targets, it has nonetheless managed to wage a successful operation using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Russian military and strategic targets, such as oil depots and processing plants. On Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike hit the port facility on the coast, causing a blaze and damaging two ships, according to Moscow officials. Nearby Russian airports in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Shift to Non-Russian Crude Supplies

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are increasing procurement of non-Russian crude in reaction to the recent international restrictions on Russia, according to market insiders. Turkey is a significant purchaser of oil from Russia, along with China and India, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's lead in cutting back supplies.

STAR Plant Diversifies Oil Procurement

One of the largest Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, operated by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has recently acquired four shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and additional non-Russian producers for year-end delivery, as per insiders. These purchases amount to approximately tens of thousands of barrels daily of alternative crude, varying by shipment volume. In contrast, Russian crude accounted for nearly all of the STAR refinery's crude intake in recent months, totaling about 210,000 bpd, according to market data. SOCAR declined to comment.

Tupras Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Purchases

The other leading Turkish refiner – Tupras refinery – was also increasing acquisitions of non-Russian grades of crude, according to multiple insiders. The company was furthermore likely to in the near future entirely eliminate imports from Russia at a key facility of its two major domestic plants to maintain petroleum shipments to the EU without violating the European Union's upcoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukrainian Sends Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has sent special forces to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an fierce Moscow's offensive comprising thousands of soldiers, as stated by Ukraine's top military leader. The city, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply line for the Kyiv's military and has been in Russia's sights for over a twelve months as Russia pushes to seize the entire eastern Donetsk region.

Latest Updates in Pokrovsk

No fewer than 200 Russian soldiers had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defences, Ukrainian officials said last week, while analysts assessed that others were advancing on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped movement. In his evening address on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the combat in the city and “results in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defence Network

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for additional air defences to counter Moscow's strikes, announced on Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence capabilities with Germany’s support. “We've strengthened the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defence,” he declared, mentioning the sophisticated American defense systems. Not offering additional details, the Ukrainian leader specifically thanked Germany and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for gratitude.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Innocents, Cut Electricity

Russian unmanned aircraft and rockets targeting Ukrainian territory killed at least 6 individuals, including two minors, and disrupted power to tens of thousands of households, authorities reported on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The victims were male minors aged eleven and fourteen, stated the nation's human rights commissioner. Russia’s attacks disrupted electricity to the whole east Donetsk area as well as nearly 58 thousand homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. The Vostok army group confirmed a number of its members were killed in a particular of the Russian strikes on the region.