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Ex-President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he was not really contemplating sending Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a reporter on Air Force One, he answered, “No, not really.” Earlier accounts had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense told the administration that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow this delivery.

Ukrainian Military Actions Continue Despite Weapon Shortage

While Ukrainian forces has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range strikes against Russian targets, it has nonetheless succeeded to wage a successful operation using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Moscow's armed and strategic targets, such as fuel storage facilities and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike struck the Tuapse oil port on the coast, causing a fire and damaging two ships, according to Moscow officials. Adjacent airfields in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkey Refineries Shift to Alternative Oil Sources

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are boosting procurement of alternative crude in response to the recent international sanctions on Russia, as reported by industry insiders. Turkey is a major purchaser of oil from Russia, along with China and India, but refiners are following New Delhi's lead in cutting back imports.

STAR Plant Diversifies Oil Procurement

A major Turkey's refining plants, the STAR refinery, owned by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other alternative suppliers for year-end arrival, according to insiders. This represent approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative crude, depending on shipment volume. By comparison, Russian crude accounted for nearly the entirety of the STAR refinery's crude intake in recent months, amounting to approximately 210,000 bpd, according to market data. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Non-Russian Buys

The other major Turkey's oil processor – Tupras refinery – was additionally raising acquisitions of non-Russian types of crude, as stated by multiple sources. Tupras was furthermore likely to in the near future completely eliminate Russian crude at a key facility of its primary major domestic plants to continue fuel exports to the EU without violating the EU’s upcoming restrictions. Tupras declined to comment to a inquiry for a statement.

Ukrainian Sends Elite Units to Eastern City

Ukraine has deployed elite troops to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an fierce Moscow's offensive comprising a large number of troops, according to Kyiv’s senior commander. Pokrovsk, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a key supply line for the Ukrainian military and has been in Moscow’s sights for over a twelve months as Russia aims to seize the entire east Donetsk area.

Recent Updates in Pokrovsk

No fewer than 200 Moscow's troops had penetrated the city's defences, Kyiv reported last week, while analysts assessed that additional forces were closing in on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped movement. In his nightly speech on Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the combat in the city and “successes in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Strengthened Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his partners for additional air defences to counter Russia’s attacks, announced on Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence capabilities with Germany’s support. “We have boosted the U.S.-made Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defense,” he declared, mentioning the sophisticated U.S.-made air-defence systems. Not offering further information, the Ukrainian president specifically thanked Germany and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Moscow's Strikes Kill Civilians, Cut Power

Moscow's drones and missiles targeting Ukrainian territory took the lives of at least six people, including 2 minors, and cut power to thousands of residents, officials reported on Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The victims were male minors of ages 11 and 14, stated Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. The strikes cut electricity to the entire eastern Donetsk region as well as almost 58,000 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. Ukraine’s Eastern military unit said a number of its personnel were killed in one of the Russian attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.