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FormerPresident Trump indicated on Sunday that he is not really planning supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. In response to a query by a reporter aboard Air Force One, he answered, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier reports had claimed the U.S. Department of Defense told the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to enable such a delivery.

Ukraine's Defense Efforts Continue Without Missile Shortage

While Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range attacks against Russia, it has still managed to wage a effective campaign using its own drones and missiles against Moscow's military and strategic objectives, including oil depots and refineries. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack targeted the port facility on the Black Sea, igniting a fire and harming two ships, according to Moscow authorities. Adjacent airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkish Oil Plants Shift to Alternative Crude Sources

Ankara's largest oil refineries are boosting purchases of non-Russian crude in response to the latest western restrictions on Russia, according to industry sources. Turkey is a major purchaser of oil from Russia, together with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring India's lead in cutting back supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Diversifies Oil Sources

A major Turkish refining plants, the STAR refinery, operated by Azeri company SOCAR, has recently acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and additional alternative suppliers for year-end arrival, according to insiders. These purchases represent approximately tens of thousands of barrels daily of non-Russian supply, depending on shipment volume. In contrast, Russian crude accounted for virtually the entirety of the STAR refinery's crude intake in recent months, amounting to about 210,000 bpd, based on market data. SOCAR refused to comment.

Tupras Also Increasing Non-Russian Buys

Another leading Turkey's refiner – Tupras refinery – was also increasing purchases of non-Russian types of crude, as stated by multiple sources. Tupras was also likely to soon completely phase out Russian crude at one of its two major Turkish plants to continue petroleum exports to Europe without breaching the EU’s upcoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Deploys Special Forces to Eastern City

Kyiv has deployed elite troops to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an fierce Moscow's offensive involving thousands of soldiers, as stated by Kyiv’s top commander. The city, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a key supply line for the Ukrainian military and has been in Moscow’s crosshairs for more than a year as Moscow pushes to seize the entire east Donetsk area.

Latest Developments in the City

At least two hundred Moscow's soldiers had breached Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Kyiv reported recently, while military experts assessed that additional forces were advancing on its outskirts in a encircling movement. In his evening address on Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the fighting in Pokrovsk and “results in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Announces Enhanced Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for more air defences to counter Moscow's attacks, announced on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence capabilities with Germany’s support. “We've strengthened the Patriot element of our national air defence,” Zelenskyy said, mentioning the advanced U.S.-made defense systems. Without providing additional details, the Ukraine's leader singled out Germany and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Russian Strikes Kill Innocents, Disrupt Electricity

Russian drones and missiles targeting Ukraine took the lives of at least six people, among them 2 minors, and cut electricity to thousands of households, officials reported on this past Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys of ages 11 and fourteen, said Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. Russia’s attacks disrupted power to the whole east Donetsk region as well as almost 58,000 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Eastern military unit confirmed some of its personnel were killed in one of the Russian attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.