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Ex-President Donald Trump remarked on Sunday that he was not seriously planning providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. When questioned by a journalist aboard his plane, he replied, “No, not currently.” Recent accounts had suggested the Pentagon told the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to allow this delivery.

Ukraine's Defense Actions Persist Despite Weapon Lack

Although Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to execute far-reaching attacks against Russian targets, it has nonetheless succeeded to conduct a effective operation using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Russian military and strategic objectives, such as oil depots and processing plants. On Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack struck the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a blaze and damaging two ships, as stated by Russian officials. Adjacent airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Oil Supplies

Turkey's biggest oil refining facilities are increasing purchases of alternative crude in reaction to the recent western sanctions on Russia, as reported by market insiders. Turkey is a major purchaser of Russian crude, along with China and India, but processing companies are following India's example in reducing imports.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Expands Oil Sources

A major Turkey's refineries, the STAR refinery, operated by Azeri firm SOCAR, has recently purchased multiple cargoes of crude from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and additional non-Russian producers for year-end arrival, as per insiders. These purchases amount to roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of alternative supply, depending on cargo size. In contrast, Russian crude made up nearly the entirety of the STAR refinery's supply in October and September, amounting to approximately 210 thousand barrels per day, according to market data. SOCAR refused to comment.

Another Major Refiner Also Boosting Non-Russian Buys

Another major Turkish oil processor – Tupras refinery – was additionally increasing acquisitions of non-Russian grades of crude, according to multiple sources. The company was also likely to soon entirely phase out Russian crude at one of its primary main Turkish refineries to maintain petroleum exports to the EU without breaching the European Union's incoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Deploys Elite Units to Eastern City

Kyiv has sent elite troops to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an fierce Russian offensive comprising thousands of soldiers, as stated by Ukraine's senior commander. The city, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply route for the Kyiv's army and has been under Russia's crosshairs for more than a twelve months as Moscow aims to seize the whole east Donetsk region.

Latest Developments in Pokrovsk

No fewer than 200 Moscow's troops had breached Pokrovsk’s defences, Ukrainian officials reported last week, while analysts assessed that others were closing in on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped movement. In his evening address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Announces Strengthened Air Defense System

The president, who has been urging his allies for more air defense systems to hold off Moscow's attacks, announced on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence capabilities with Germany’s assistance. “We have strengthened the Patriot component of our national air defense,” he declared, referring to the sophisticated U.S.-made air-defence systems. Not offering additional details, the Ukraine's president singled out Berlin and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Innocents, Cut Power

Moscow's drones and missiles fired at Ukraine killed at least 6 individuals, including 2 minors, and cut power to tens of thousands of residents, authorities reported on Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The victims were male minors aged 11 and fourteen, stated Ukraine’s ombudsman. The attacks cut power to the entire eastern Donetsk region as well as nearly 58 thousand households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Vostok military unit confirmed a number of its members were killed in one of the Russian attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.