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FormerPresident Trump indicated this past Sunday that he is not actively considering supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles. In response to a query by a reporter on Air Force One, he responded, “No, not really.” Earlier accounts had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense told the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to enable such a delivery.

Ukraine's Military Actions Continue Without Missile Lack

Although Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to conduct long-range strikes against Russian targets, it has still succeeded to wage a effective campaign using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Moscow's military and strategic objectives, such as fuel storage facilities and refineries. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack targeted the port facility on the coast, causing a blaze and harming two ships, according to Russian authorities. Nearby Russian airports in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Oil Plants Shift to Alternative Crude Supplies

Turkey's largest oil refineries are increasing purchases of non-Russian crude in response to the latest western restrictions on Moscow, according to industry insiders. Turkey is a major buyer of oil from Russia, along with Beijing and India, but processing companies are following New Delhi's lead in reducing imports.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Expands Crude Sources

One of the largest Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other alternative suppliers for year-end arrival, as per insiders. This represent approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian supply, depending on shipment volume. In contrast, oil from Russia made up virtually all of the plant's supply in recent months, totaling approximately 210 thousand barrels per day, based on trade data. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Increasing Alternative Purchases

Another major Turkish oil processor – Tupras – was additionally raising purchases of non-Russian types of crude, as stated by two sources. Tupras was furthermore expected to in the near future completely phase out Russian crude at one of its two main domestic refineries to maintain petroleum exports to the EU without violating the European Union's upcoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Deploys Special Forces to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has sent special forces to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an fierce Moscow's assault involving a large number of troops, according to Ukraine's senior military leader. Pokrovsk, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply route for the Ukrainian military and has been in Moscow’s crosshairs for more than a year as Moscow pushes to control the whole east Donetsk region.

Latest Developments in Pokrovsk

At least 200 Moscow's soldiers had breached Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Ukrainian officials reported recently, while analysts concluded that others were closing in on its perimeter in a encircling movement. In his nightly speech on Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the fighting in Pokrovsk and “results in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Announces Strengthened Air Defence Network

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for more air defences to hold off Moscow's attacks, stated on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air defense capabilities with Germany’s support. “We have strengthened the Patriot component of our national air defence,” he declared, referring to the advanced U.S.-made defense systems. Not offering additional information, the Ukraine's president specifically thanked Germany and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Strikes Kill Civilians, Cut Electricity

Moscow's drones and missiles targeting Ukraine took the lives of no fewer than six people, among them two children, and disrupted electricity to tens of thousands of households, authorities reported on this past Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the office of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The children were two boys aged 11 and 14, said the nation's ombudsman. The strikes disrupted power to the whole eastern Donetsk area as well as almost 58 thousand households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Vostok military unit said some of its personnel were killed in one of the enemy strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.