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FormerPresident Trump indicated this past Sunday that he was not actively planning supplying Ukraine with advanced Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a reporter on Air Force One, he replied, “No, not really.” Earlier accounts had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense told the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to enable such a transfer.

Ukrainian Defense Efforts Continue Despite Missile Lack

While Ukrainian forces has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to carry out far-reaching strikes against Russia, it has still succeeded to wage a effective operation using its domestically-produced drones and rockets against Russian military and key objectives, such as fuel storage facilities and refineries. On Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike hit the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a fire and damaging two vessels, according to Russian authorities. Nearby airfields in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkish Refineries Shift to Non-Russian Crude Sources

Ankara's largest oil refineries are boosting procurement of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest international sanctions on Russia, as reported by market insiders. The country is a significant buyer of Russian crude, along with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's example in reducing supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Expands Oil Procurement

One of the largest Turkish refining plants, the STAR refinery, owned by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and other non-Russian producers for year-end arrival, as per sources. These purchases represent roughly tens of thousands of barrels daily of alternative supply, varying by cargo size. In contrast, oil from Russia accounted for nearly the entirety of the STAR refinery's supply in October and September, totaling approximately 210 thousand bpd, according to trade data. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Also Increasing Alternative Buys

The other leading Turkey's oil processor – Tupras – was additionally raising purchases of alternative grades of crude, according to multiple sources. The company was furthermore expected to soon entirely eliminate imports from Russia at one of its primary main domestic refineries to continue petroleum exports to Europe without breaching the European Union's incoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a request for comment.

Ukraine Deploys Special Forces to Eastern City

Ukraine has sent elite troops to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an intense Moscow's assault involving a large number of troops, according to Kyiv’s top military leader. The city, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply route for the Kyiv's army and has been in Moscow’s sights for more than a year as Moscow pushes to seize the whole east Donetsk region.

Recent Updates in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Moscow's soldiers had breached Pokrovsk’s defences, Kyiv said last week, while analysts assessed that others were closing in on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped movement. In his nightly speech on Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in the city and “results in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Announces Enhanced Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for additional air defense systems to counter Russia’s strikes, announced on Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air-defence capabilities with Berlin's assistance. “We have boosted the U.S.-made Patriot element of our national air defense,” he said, referring to the sophisticated American air-defence systems. Without offering additional details, the Ukraine's president specifically thanked Berlin and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Innocents, Disrupt Electricity

Russian drones and rockets fired at Ukraine took the lives of at least 6 individuals, including two children, and cut power to tens of thousands of households, authorities reported on Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the representatives of Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The victims were male minors of ages 11 and 14, stated the nation's ombudsman. Russia’s attacks cut power to the entire eastern Donetsk region as well as nearly 58,000 households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Eastern military unit said some of its personnel were killed in one of the enemy strikes on the region.