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FormerPresident Trump stated this past Sunday that he was not really planning providing Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a reporter on Air Force One, he responded, “No, not really.” Earlier reports had claimed the Pentagon informed the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to enable such a delivery.

Ukraine's Military Efforts Persist Despite Missile Lack

Although Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range attacks against Russian targets, it has nonetheless succeeded to conduct a effective campaign using its own drones and missiles against Russian military and strategic objectives, such as oil depots and processing plants. On Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike hit the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a blaze and damaging two vessels, according to Moscow officials. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Oil Plants Turn to Non-Russian Crude Supplies

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are increasing procurement of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest western restrictions on Russia, according to industry sources. The country is a major buyer of Russian crude, together with China and New Delhi, but refiners are mirroring India's lead in cutting back supplies.

STAR Refinery Expands Oil Procurement

A major Turkey's refining plants, the STAR refinery, operated by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has recently acquired four cargoes of crude from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and additional alternative suppliers for year-end delivery, according to sources. This represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative supply, varying by cargo size. In contrast, Russian crude made up virtually the entirety of the STAR refinery's supply in recent months, totaling about 210,000 barrels per day, based on market information. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Boosting Non-Russian Purchases

Another major Turkish oil processor – Tupras – was also raising purchases of alternative types of crude, as stated by multiple sources. Tupras was furthermore expected to in the near future completely phase out imports from Russia at one of its two major Turkish plants to continue fuel shipments to Europe without violating the EU’s incoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a request for comment.

Ukrainian Deploys Elite Units to Eastern City

Kyiv has deployed elite troops to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an fierce Moscow's assault involving a large number of troops, as stated by Kyiv’s top commander. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a major supply line for the Kyiv's military and has been under Russia's crosshairs for more than a year as Russia pushes to seize the entire east Donetsk region.

Recent Developments in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Russian soldiers had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defences, Kyiv said recently, while military experts concluded that others were advancing on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his nightly speech on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the fighting in Pokrovsk and “results in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Announces Strengthened Air Defense System

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his allies for additional air defense systems to hold off Moscow's attacks, stated on Sunday that the country had reinforced its air-defence network with Germany’s assistance. “We have strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” he said, referring to the advanced American air-defence systems. Not offering additional information, the Ukraine's leader singled out Berlin and its leader, the German chancellor, for gratitude.

Russian Strikes Kill Civilians, Cut Power

Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles targeting Ukraine killed no fewer than six people, including 2 children, and cut power to tens of thousands of residents, authorities said on this past Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the office of Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The children were two boys of ages eleven and fourteen, stated Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. The attacks cut power to the entire east Donetsk area as well as nearly 58 thousand households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Eastern military unit said some of its members were killed in a particular of the Russian strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.