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Ex-President Donald Trump indicated this past Sunday that he is not seriously planning supplying Ukraine with advanced Tomahawk missiles. In response to a query by a journalist aboard his plane, he answered, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier accounts had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense informed the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to allow this delivery.

Ukraine's Military Actions Persist Without Missile Lack

While Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to carry out far-reaching attacks against Russian targets, it has still succeeded to conduct a effective operation using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Russian military and key objectives, including oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack targeted the port facility on the coast, igniting a blaze and damaging two vessels, according to Russian officials. Nearby Russian airports in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Oil Plants Turn to Alternative Crude Sources

Ankara's largest oil refining facilities are increasing procurement of alternative crude in reaction to the recent western sanctions on Moscow, as reported by market insiders. Turkey is a significant purchaser of Russian crude, along with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring India's example in cutting back imports.

STAR Plant Expands Oil Procurement

A major Turkey's refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azeri company SOCAR, has recently purchased four cargoes of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and additional alternative suppliers for December delivery, as per sources. These purchases amount to approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative supply, varying by shipment volume. By comparison, Russian crude accounted for nearly all of the STAR refinery's supply in recent months, totaling approximately 210,000 bpd, based on market information. SOCAR declined to comment.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Alternative Purchases

The other major Turkish refiner – Tupras refinery – was also increasing acquisitions of alternative types of crude, as stated by multiple sources. The company was furthermore likely to in the near future entirely phase out imports from Russia at a key facility of its two main domestic plants to continue fuel shipments to the EU without breaching the EU’s upcoming sanctions. Tupras declined to comment to a request for a statement.

Ukrainian Sends Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has deployed special forces to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an fierce Moscow's assault comprising a large number of troops, as stated by Ukraine's top commander. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a major logistical line for the Kyiv's army and has been under Moscow’s crosshairs for more than a year as Russia pushes to control the whole eastern Donetsk region.

Recent Developments in Pokrovsk

No fewer than two hundred Russian soldiers had breached Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Kyiv said last week, while military experts assessed that others were advancing on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped movement. In his nightly speech on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the combat in the city and “results in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his allies for more air defense systems to counter Russia’s strikes, stated on this past Sunday that the country had reinforced its air-defence capabilities with Berlin's assistance. “We have strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot element of our national air defense,” Zelenskyy said, referring to the advanced American air-defence systems. Without providing further information, the Ukraine's president singled out Berlin and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Russian Strikes Claim Innocents, Cut Electricity

Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles targeting Ukraine killed at least 6 people, including two minors, and cut power to tens of thousands of residents, authorities said on this past Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the representatives of Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The victims were male minors aged 11 and 14, stated Ukraine’s ombudsman. The strikes disrupted electricity to the whole east Donetsk region as well as almost 58,000 households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. Ukraine’s Eastern army group said some of its members were killed in one of the enemy strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.