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Ex-President Donald Trump stated this past Sunday that he is not actively considering sending Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. When questioned by a journalist on Air Force One, he replied, “No, not currently.” Earlier accounts had indicated the Pentagon informed the White House that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow such a delivery.

Ukraine's Military Efforts Persist Without Weapon Lack

Although Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range strikes against Russia, it has still succeeded to conduct a effective campaign using its own drones and missiles against Moscow's armed and strategic targets, including oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike struck the Tuapse oil port on the coast, causing a fire and harming two ships, according to Moscow officials. Adjacent airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Oil Plants Shift to Non-Russian Oil Supplies

Turkey's largest oil refining facilities are increasing purchases of alternative crude in response to the latest international sanctions on Moscow, as reported by market insiders. The country is a major purchaser of Russian crude, along with Beijing and New Delhi, but refiners are following India's lead in cutting back supplies.

STAR Refinery Expands Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkish refining plants, the STAR refinery, owned by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has recently acquired four shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other non-Russian producers for year-end arrival, according to insiders. These purchases represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian crude, depending on cargo size. By comparison, Russian crude accounted for virtually the entirety of the plant's supply in recent months, totaling approximately 210,000 bpd, based on market information. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Tupras Also Boosting Alternative Buys

Another leading Turkey's refiner – Tupras – was additionally raising purchases of non-Russian types of crude, according to two insiders. Tupras was furthermore expected to in the near future completely phase out Russian crude at one of its primary main Turkish refineries to maintain petroleum exports to Europe without violating the EU’s upcoming sanctions. The refiner did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Sends Elite Units to Eastern City

Ukraine has deployed elite troops to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an intense Moscow's offensive comprising a large number of soldiers, according to Ukraine's senior military leader. The city, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a major logistical route for the Kyiv's military and has been under Russia's crosshairs for more than a twelve months as Russia aims to control the whole eastern Donetsk area.

Recent Developments in the City

No fewer than 200 Russian soldiers had penetrated the city's defences, Kyiv said last week, while military experts assessed that additional forces were advancing on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his nightly address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Announces Enhanced Air Defence Network

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for additional air defences to hold off Russia’s attacks, announced on Sunday that the country had strengthened its air defense capabilities with Berlin's assistance. “We have boosted the U.S.-made Patriot element of our national air defence,” he said, mentioning the advanced American air-defence systems. Without providing additional information, the Ukraine's leader singled out Germany and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Civilians, Disrupt Electricity

Moscow's unmanned aircraft and missiles fired at Ukrainian territory took the lives of no fewer than six individuals, among them two children, and disrupted electricity to thousands of households, authorities said on this past Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the representatives of the country's prosecutor general. The children were male minors aged eleven and fourteen, stated the nation's ombudsman. Russia’s strikes cut power to the entire eastern Donetsk region as well as almost 58 thousand homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors said. The Eastern military unit confirmed some of its personnel were killed in one of the enemy strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.