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Ex-President Trump indicated on Sunday that he is not really contemplating sending Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. When questioned by a reporter aboard his plane, he replied, “No, not at the moment.” Recent reports had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that American inventories of Tomahawks were sufficient to enable such a transfer.

Ukraine's Defense Efforts Continue Despite Missile Shortage

While Ukraine has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to execute far-reaching attacks against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to conduct a effective campaign using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Moscow's armed and key targets, such as oil depots and processing plants. On Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack struck the Tuapse oil port on the coast, causing a fire and harming two vessels, as stated by Russian officials. Adjacent airfields in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkish Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Oil Sources

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are increasing procurement of alternative crude in response to the recent international restrictions on Russia, according to industry sources. Turkey is a significant buyer of oil from Russia, together with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are following New Delhi's lead in cutting back supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Diversifies Oil Sources

One of the largest Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has recently purchased multiple shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other non-Russian producers for December arrival, as per insiders. This represent approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of non-Russian supply, depending on cargo size. By comparison, oil from Russia accounted for nearly the entirety of the STAR refinery's crude intake in October and September, totaling about 210,000 bpd, according to trade data. SOCAR refused to comment.

Another Major Refiner Also Increasing Alternative Buys

The other leading Turkish oil processor – Tupras – was also raising purchases of alternative grades of crude, according to two sources. The company was also likely to in the near future entirely phase out imports from Russia at a key facility of its primary main Turkish refineries to maintain fuel exports to the EU without violating the EU’s incoming sanctions. The refiner did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Sends Special Forces to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has deployed elite troops to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an intense Russian offensive involving a large number of soldiers, according to Ukraine's top commander. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a key supply route for the Ukrainian military and has been under Russia's crosshairs for more than a twelve months as Moscow aims to control the entire eastern Donetsk region.

Recent Developments in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Moscow's soldiers had breached Pokrovsk’s defences, Kyiv reported recently, while analysts concluded that additional forces were closing in on its perimeter in a encircling maneuver. In his nightly address on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the fighting in Pokrovsk and “successes in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for additional air defense systems to counter Moscow's strikes, stated on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence capabilities with Germany’s assistance. “We've boosted the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defence,” he said, mentioning the sophisticated American defense systems. Not providing further information, the Ukrainian president singled out Germany and its leader, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Innocents, Disrupt Power

Russian drones and rockets targeting Ukraine took the lives of at least 6 people, among them 2 minors, and disrupted power to thousands of households, authorities reported on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The children were male minors aged 11 and fourteen, stated Ukraine’s ombudsman. The strikes disrupted power to the entire eastern Donetsk area as well as nearly 58 thousand homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors said. Ukraine’s Vostok army group said some of its personnel were killed in one of the Russian strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.