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Ex-President Trump stated on Sunday that he is not seriously planning sending Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a reporter on his plane, he answered, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier accounts had claimed the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that American inventories of Tomahawks were adequate to allow this transfer.

Ukraine's Military Efforts Persist Without Missile Shortage

Although Ukraine has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to execute far-reaching strikes against Russian targets, it has nonetheless managed to wage a effective operation using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Moscow's military and key targets, including fuel storage facilities and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike struck the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a fire and damaging two ships, according to Russian officials. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkish Refineries Shift to Non-Russian Oil Sources

Turkey's biggest oil refineries are boosting purchases of alternative crude in reaction to the recent international sanctions on Russia, as reported by industry insiders. The country is a major buyer of Russian crude, along with Beijing and New Delhi, but processing companies are following New Delhi's lead in reducing supplies.

STAR Refinery Expands Crude Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), owned by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has recently purchased multiple shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and additional alternative suppliers 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. In contrast, oil from Russia accounted for nearly all of the STAR refinery's crude intake in recent months, totaling about 210,000 bpd, based on trade information. SOCAR declined to comment.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Non-Russian Purchases

Another leading Turkish oil processor – Tupras refinery – was additionally increasing acquisitions of non-Russian types of crude, as stated by multiple insiders. Tupras was also expected to in the near future completely phase out Russian crude at one of its primary main Turkish refineries to continue fuel shipments to the EU without breaching the European Union's upcoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for a statement.

Ukraine Sends Elite Units to Eastern City

Ukraine has deployed special forces to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an intense Moscow's offensive involving thousands of troops, according to Ukraine's top military leader. The city, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply line for the Ukrainian army and has been in Moscow’s crosshairs for more than a year as Moscow pushes to seize the entire east Donetsk region.

Recent Developments in Pokrovsk

At least 200 Russian troops had breached Pokrovsk’s defences, Ukrainian officials reported recently, while military experts concluded that additional forces were advancing on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped movement. In his nightly speech on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in the city and “successes in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Announces Strengthened Air Defense Network

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for additional air defences to hold off Russia’s attacks, announced on this past Sunday that the country had reinforced its air defense network with Germany’s support. “We have strengthened the Patriot component of our national air defence,” Zelenskyy declared, referring to the sophisticated American defense systems. Without providing further details, the Ukraine's president specifically thanked Berlin and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Russian Attacks Claim Civilians, Disrupt Power

Moscow's drones and rockets targeting Ukraine killed at least six individuals, including 2 minors, and disrupted electricity to tens of thousands of residents, officials said on this past Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the office of the country's prosecutor general. The victims were male minors of ages 11 and fourteen, stated Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. The attacks disrupted power to the whole eastern Donetsk region as well as almost 58,000 homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. Ukraine’s Eastern army group said some of its personnel were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.