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Ex-President Trump indicated on Sunday that he is not seriously planning sending Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a reporter aboard Air Force One, he replied, “No, not currently.” Earlier accounts had claimed the Pentagon informed the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to enable such a transfer.

Ukrainian Military Actions Continue Without Missile Shortage

Although Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to conduct long-range attacks against Russia, it has still succeeded to wage a effective campaign using its own drones and rockets against Moscow's military and key targets, including oil depots and refineries. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike struck the Tuapse oil port on the coast, causing a blaze and damaging two vessels, as stated by Moscow authorities. Adjacent Russian airports in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Alternative Oil Sources

Turkey's largest oil refineries are boosting purchases of alternative crude in response to the latest western restrictions on Moscow, as reported by market insiders. The country is a significant buyer of Russian crude, along with Beijing and India, but refiners are following New Delhi's example in reducing imports.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Expands Oil Procurement

One of the largest Turkey's refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has recently acquired four cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional alternative suppliers for year-end arrival, as per insiders. These purchases amount to approximately tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of alternative crude, varying by cargo size. In contrast, oil from Russia accounted for nearly the entirety of the STAR refinery's crude intake in October and September, totaling about 210,000 barrels per day, based on trade information. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Increasing Alternative Purchases

The other leading Turkish refiner – Tupras – was also increasing purchases of alternative grades of crude, according to two insiders. Tupras was also likely to soon completely phase out Russian crude at one of its primary major Turkish refineries to continue fuel shipments to Europe without violating the EU’s incoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a request for comment.

Ukrainian Sends Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has sent elite troops to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an fierce Russian assault involving thousands of soldiers, according to Kyiv’s senior military leader. Pokrovsk, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a major logistical line for the Kyiv's military and has been in Russia's crosshairs for more than a year as Moscow aims to control the entire east Donetsk area.

Latest Developments in Pokrovsk

At least 200 Russian soldiers had breached Pokrovsk’s defences, Kyiv reported recently, while military experts concluded that additional forces were closing in on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped movement. In his nightly speech on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “successes in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Reveals Enhanced Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for additional air defences to counter Russia’s attacks, announced on this past Sunday that the country had reinforced its air defense network with Berlin's support. “We've strengthened the Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defense,” he said, mentioning the advanced U.S.-made air-defence systems. Without offering additional details, the Ukraine's president specifically thanked Berlin and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Russian Strikes Kill Civilians, Disrupt Electricity

Russian drones and rockets targeting Ukraine killed at least 6 people, among them 2 children, and cut electricity to tens of thousands of residents, officials reported on this past Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the representatives of the country's chief prosecutor. The victims were male minors of ages 11 and 14, stated Ukraine’s ombudsman. Russia’s strikes cut power to the whole east Donetsk area as well as nearly 58 thousand households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. The Vostok military unit said a number of its personnel were killed in one of the enemy strikes on the region.