🔗 Share this article

FormerPresident Donald Trump remarked on Sunday that he is not really considering sending Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. In response to a query by a reporter aboard Air Force One, he replied, “No, not really.” Earlier reports had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense told the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to allow such a transfer.

Ukrainian Military Efforts Persist Without Missile Lack

Although Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to carry out long-range attacks against Russian targets, it has still managed to conduct a effective operation using its domestically-produced drones and missiles against Russian armed and key targets, including fuel storage facilities and refineries. On Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack targeted the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a fire and damaging two ships, according to Russian officials. Adjacent Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Crude Sources

Turkey's largest oil refineries are boosting procurement of non-Russian crude in response to the recent international sanctions on Moscow, as reported by industry insiders. Turkey is a significant buyer of Russian crude, along with Beijing and India, but processing companies are following India's example in cutting back imports.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Diversifies Oil Procurement

A major Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, operated by Azeri firm SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and other alternative producers for December delivery, according to sources. These purchases represent approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of non-Russian crude, varying by cargo size. By comparison, oil from Russia accounted for virtually the entirety of the plant's crude intake in October and September, amounting to approximately 210,000 barrels per day, based on trade information. SOCAR refused to comment.

Another Major Refiner Also Boosting Non-Russian Purchases

Another leading Turkey's refiner – Tupras refinery – was also raising purchases of non-Russian grades of crude, as stated by multiple insiders. Tupras was furthermore likely to soon completely eliminate Russian crude at one of its two main domestic plants to maintain fuel shipments to Europe without breaching the EU’s upcoming sanctions. The refiner declined to comment to a request for comment.

Ukrainian Deploys Special Forces to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has sent special forces to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an fierce Russian offensive involving a large number of troops, as stated by Ukraine's senior military leader. The city, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a major logistical route for the Kyiv's army and has been under Russia's sights for over a year as Russia pushes to control the whole eastern Donetsk region.

Recent Developments in Pokrovsk

No fewer than two hundred Moscow's soldiers had breached the city's defences, Ukrainian officials reported recently, while military experts assessed that additional forces were closing in on its perimeter in a encircling movement. In his nightly speech on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the fighting in the city and “results in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for more air defense systems to counter Russia’s attacks, stated on this past Sunday that the country had reinforced its air defense network with Berlin's support. “We have boosted the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” he declared, mentioning the advanced American air-defence systems. Without offering additional details, the Ukraine's leader singled out Germany and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Moscow's Strikes Claim Civilians, Disrupt Power

Moscow's drones and missiles fired at Ukrainian territory killed at least 6 individuals, including 2 children, and cut power to thousands of residents, authorities said on Sunday. Moscow's military attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the representatives of the country's chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys of ages 11 and 14, said the nation's human rights commissioner. Russia’s strikes cut power to the whole east Donetsk area as well as nearly 58,000 households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. Ukraine’s Eastern army group said a number of its personnel were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on the region.