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Ex-President Donald Trump indicated on Sunday that he is not actively contemplating sending Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a journalist aboard his plane, he responded, “No, not at the moment.” Recent reports had claimed the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were ample to allow this delivery.

Ukrainian Defense Efforts Continue Despite Weapon Shortage

Although Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to execute far-reaching attacks against Russia, it has still managed to conduct a effective operation using its own drones and missiles against Russian armed and strategic targets, including oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike targeted the port facility on the coast, igniting a blaze and damaging two vessels, as stated by Russian authorities. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be shut down.

Turkish Refineries Turn to Alternative Oil Sources

Turkey's biggest oil refining facilities are boosting purchases of non-Russian crude in response to the recent western restrictions on Russia, as reported by industry insiders. Turkey is a major purchaser of Russian crude, along with China and India, but processing companies are following India's lead in cutting back imports.

STAR Refinery Expands Crude Sources

A major Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azeri company SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and additional alternative suppliers for year-end delivery, according to insiders. These purchases amount to approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of alternative crude, depending on cargo size. By comparison, Russian crude accounted for virtually all of the STAR refinery's crude intake in recent months, amounting to about 210 thousand bpd, based on trade data. SOCAR declined to comment.

Tupras Also Boosting Alternative Buys

The other major Turkish oil processor – Tupras – was also increasing purchases of alternative types of crude, according to two sources. Tupras was also likely to in the near future completely eliminate imports from Russia at a key facility of its two main Turkish refineries to maintain petroleum exports to Europe without violating the EU’s upcoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Deploys Special Forces to Eastern City

Ukraine has deployed elite troops to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an fierce Russian assault comprising thousands of troops, as stated by Kyiv’s top commander. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a key logistical route for the Ukrainian army and has been in Moscow’s crosshairs for more than a twelve months as Moscow aims to control the entire eastern Donetsk area.

Latest Updates in Pokrovsk

No fewer than 200 Russian soldiers had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Kyiv said last week, while analysts concluded that others were advancing on its outskirts in a encircling maneuver. In his nightly speech on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “successes in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Announces Strengthened Air Defense Network

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for more air defences to hold off Russia’s strikes, announced on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air defense network with Germany’s assistance. “We have boosted the U.S.-made Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defence,” he said, referring to the advanced American air-defence systems. Without offering additional details, the Ukrainian leader specifically thanked Germany and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Russian Attacks Claim Civilians, Disrupt Power

Russian drones and rockets fired at Ukraine took the lives of at least 6 people, including two minors, and cut power to thousands of households, authorities said on Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the office of Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The victims were two boys of ages 11 and 14, stated the nation's human rights commissioner. Russia’s attacks disrupted power to the whole east Donetsk region as well as almost 58 thousand households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. Ukraine’s Vostok military unit said some of its personnel were killed in one of the Russian strikes on the region.