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Ex-President Trump remarked this past Sunday that he is not really contemplating supplying Ukraine with advanced Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a reporter aboard his plane, he responded, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier accounts had claimed the U.S. Department of Defense informed the White House that American inventories of Tomahawks were adequate to enable this delivery.

Ukraine's Military Efforts Continue Despite Weapon Lack

While Ukraine has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to execute far-reaching attacks against Russian targets, it has nonetheless managed to wage a successful campaign using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Russian military and key targets, including oil depots and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack targeted the port facility on the coast, igniting a blaze and damaging two ships, according to Russian officials. Adjacent Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Alternative Crude Sources

Turkey's largest oil refineries are increasing procurement of non-Russian crude in response to the latest international sanctions on Russia, according to industry insiders. The country is a major buyer of oil from Russia, together with Beijing and India, but processing companies are following New Delhi's example in reducing imports.

STAR Plant Diversifies Crude Sources

One of the largest Turkish refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has recently purchased four shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other non-Russian suppliers for December delivery, according to insiders. These purchases represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative crude, varying by shipment volume. By comparison, Russian crude made up nearly all of the STAR refinery's crude intake in recent months, amounting to about 210,000 bpd, based on trade information. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Increasing Alternative Purchases

The other leading Turkey's oil processor – Tupras refinery – was also raising purchases of non-Russian grades of crude, as stated by two insiders. The company was also expected to soon completely phase out Russian crude at a key facility of its two main Turkish refineries to maintain petroleum shipments to the EU without breaching the EU’s incoming restrictions. Tupras declined to comment to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Sends Elite Units to Eastern City

Ukraine has deployed special forces to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an fierce Russian assault comprising thousands of troops, as stated by Ukraine's top commander. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a key logistical line for the Kyiv's army and has been in Russia's crosshairs for more than a twelve months as Russia pushes to control the whole east Donetsk region.

Recent Developments in Pokrovsk

At least 200 Russian troops had penetrated the city's defences, Ukrainian officials reported last week, while military experts assessed that others were advancing on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped movement. In his evening address on Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Announces Strengthened Air Defence Network

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his partners for additional air defense systems to counter Russia’s attacks, stated on this past Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air-defence capabilities with Germany’s support. “We've boosted the Patriot element of our national air defense,” Zelenskyy declared, mentioning the sophisticated American air-defence systems. Not providing further details, the Ukraine's leader specifically thanked Germany and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Russian Strikes Kill Civilians, Disrupt Electricity

Moscow's unmanned aircraft and missiles targeting Ukraine killed no fewer than 6 people, including 2 minors, and disrupted electricity to tens of thousands of households, officials said on Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the office of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were male minors aged eleven and fourteen, said Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. Russia’s strikes disrupted power to the entire eastern Donetsk area as well as nearly 58 thousand homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors said. Ukraine’s Vostok military unit confirmed some of its personnel were killed in a particular of the Russian attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.