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FormerPresident Trump indicated this past Sunday that he was not seriously considering sending Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a reporter on Air Force One, he responded, “No, not really.” Recent accounts had indicated the Pentagon informed the White House that American inventories of Tomahawks were adequate to allow such a delivery.

Ukrainian Military Actions Continue Despite Weapon Lack

While Ukraine has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to carry out long-range strikes against Russia, it has still managed to conduct a successful operation using its own drones and rockets against Moscow's military and key objectives, such as oil depots and processing plants. On Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack targeted the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a fire and harming two vessels, as stated by Russian authorities. Adjacent airfields in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkey Refineries Shift to Non-Russian Crude Supplies

Turkey's largest oil refineries are increasing procurement of alternative crude in response to the recent western restrictions on Moscow, according to industry sources. The country is a significant buyer of Russian crude, together with China and India, but processing companies are following New Delhi's example in reducing imports.

STAR Refinery Expands Crude Procurement

A major Turkish refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azeri firm SOCAR, has recently acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and other alternative suppliers for year-end delivery, as per sources. These purchases represent roughly tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian crude, varying by cargo size. By comparison, oil from Russia accounted for virtually the entirety of the STAR refinery's supply in recent months, amounting to approximately 210 thousand barrels per day, based on market data. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Also Increasing Alternative Purchases

Another major Turkey's oil processor – Tupras – was additionally increasing purchases of alternative types of crude, according to multiple sources. The company was also likely to soon completely phase out Russian crude at one of its two main domestic refineries to continue petroleum exports to the EU without violating the European Union's upcoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has sent special forces to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an fierce Russian assault comprising thousands of troops, according to Ukraine's senior commander. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a major logistical route for the Ukrainian military and has been in Russia's sights for over a twelve months as Moscow aims to control the entire eastern Donetsk region.

Recent Updates in Pokrovsk

At least 200 Russian troops had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Kyiv said last week, while military experts assessed that additional forces were closing in on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped movement. In his nightly speech on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “successes in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Announces Enhanced Air Defense System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for more air defense systems to hold off Russia’s strikes, stated on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence capabilities with Germany’s support. “We have boosted the Patriot element of our national air defense,” Zelenskyy declared, referring to the advanced U.S.-made defense systems. Without offering additional details, the Ukraine's president specifically thanked Germany and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Russian Strikes Claim Civilians, Cut Electricity

Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles targeting Ukraine killed at least six people, among them 2 minors, and cut electricity to thousands of households, officials said on this past Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The children were two boys aged 11 and 14, said Ukraine’s ombudsman. The attacks disrupted power to the whole eastern Donetsk area as well as almost 58,000 homes 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.