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FormerPresident Trump stated on Sunday that he is not seriously contemplating supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a reporter on his plane, he responded, “No, not at the moment.” Recent accounts had claimed the Pentagon told the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow such a transfer.

Ukrainian Defense Efforts Continue Despite Missile Shortage

Although Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to carry out long-range strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to wage a effective campaign using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Russian military and key objectives, such as fuel storage facilities and processing plants. On Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike hit the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a fire and harming two ships, as stated by Moscow authorities. Nearby Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkish Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Oil Sources

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are boosting purchases of alternative crude in response to the latest western sanctions on Russia, according to market sources. Turkey is a significant buyer of oil from Russia, along with Beijing and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring India's lead in reducing imports.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Diversifies Crude Procurement

A major Turkish refining plants, the STAR refinery, owned by Azeri firm SOCAR, has lately acquired four cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and other non-Russian producers for year-end delivery, according to sources. This represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of non-Russian crude, varying by shipment volume. By comparison, oil from Russia accounted for virtually all of the plant's crude intake in recent months, totaling approximately 210,000 barrels per day, based on market data. SOCAR refused to comment.

Tupras Also Boosting Non-Russian Buys

Another leading Turkish oil processor – Tupras refinery – was also increasing purchases of alternative grades of crude, as stated by multiple sources. Tupras was also likely to soon completely phase out imports from Russia at one of its two major domestic refineries to maintain petroleum shipments 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 special forces to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an fierce Moscow's assault comprising thousands of troops, as stated by Kyiv’s top military leader. The city, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a key logistical route for the Ukrainian military and has been in Russia's sights for more than a year as Russia pushes to seize the whole east Donetsk area.

Recent Updates in the City

At least two hundred Russian troops had penetrated the city's defences, Ukrainian officials said last week, while military experts assessed that others were closing in on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped movement. In his nightly address on Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in the city and “results in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Reveals Enhanced Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his partners for more air defences to counter Russia’s attacks, stated on Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air defense capabilities with Berlin's support. “We've strengthened the Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defense,” Zelenskyy declared, referring to the advanced American air-defence systems. Not offering additional information, the Ukrainian leader specifically thanked Berlin and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Strikes Kill Innocents, Disrupt Power

Russian drones and rockets fired at Ukrainian territory killed no fewer than 6 individuals, among them 2 children, and disrupted electricity to tens of thousands of residents, officials reported on this past Sunday. Moscow's military attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The children were male minors of ages 11 and 14, said Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. The attacks disrupted electricity to the entire east Donetsk area as well as almost 58 thousand homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. Ukraine’s Vostok army group said some of its personnel were killed in one of the Russian strikes on the region.