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FormerPresident Donald Trump remarked this past Sunday that he is not seriously considering sending Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a reporter on his plane, he responded, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier accounts had claimed the Pentagon told the White House that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were ample to enable such a transfer.

Ukraine's Defense Efforts Persist Without Weapon Shortage

Although Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to conduct long-range attacks against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to conduct a successful operation using its own drones and missiles against Russian military and key objectives, such as fuel storage facilities and refineries. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack struck the port facility on the Black Sea, igniting a blaze and damaging two vessels, according to Russian authorities. Adjacent airfields in the region also had to be shut down.

Turkey Refineries Shift to Alternative Oil Sources

Ankara's largest oil refining facilities are increasing purchases of alternative crude in reaction to the latest western restrictions on Moscow, according to market sources. Turkey is a major purchaser of oil from Russia, together with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are following New Delhi's example in reducing supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Diversifies Oil Procurement

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azeri company SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other non-Russian producers for year-end arrival, according to sources. This amount to roughly tens of thousands of barrels daily of alternative crude, varying by shipment volume. By comparison, Russian crude accounted for nearly all of the STAR refinery's supply in recent months, amounting to about 210 thousand barrels per day, based on market information. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Boosting Alternative Purchases

The other major Turkey's oil processor – Tupras – was also increasing purchases of alternative types of crude, as stated by two sources. Tupras was also expected to soon entirely phase out Russian crude at one of its primary major Turkish refineries to continue fuel exports to the EU without violating the European Union's incoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Deploys Special Forces to Eastern City

Ukraine has sent special forces to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an fierce Russian assault involving thousands of soldiers, according to Kyiv’s senior commander. The city, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a key logistical line for the Ukrainian military and has been under Moscow’s sights for more than a twelve months as Moscow aims to control the whole east Donetsk area.

Recent Developments in the City

At least 200 Russian troops had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Ukrainian officials reported recently, while analysts assessed that additional forces were advancing on its outskirts in a encircling movement. In his evening address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the fighting in the city and “successes in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Reveals Enhanced Air Defence System

The president, who has been urging his allies for additional air defences to counter Moscow's attacks, announced on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air defense network with Berlin's support. “We have strengthened the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defence,” he declared, mentioning the sophisticated U.S.-made defense systems. Without offering additional information, the Ukraine's leader specifically thanked Berlin and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Innocents, Cut Power

Moscow's drones and rockets fired at Ukrainian territory took the lives of at least 6 individuals, including 2 children, and cut electricity to tens of thousands of households, officials said on Sunday. Moscow's military attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the office of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys aged 11 and fourteen, stated the nation's human rights commissioner. Russia’s strikes disrupted electricity to the whole eastern Donetsk region as well as almost 58,000 homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. Ukraine’s Vostok army group confirmed a number of its members were killed in one of the Russian strikes on the region.