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Ex-President Trump stated on Sunday that he was not actively planning providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a journalist on Air Force One, he answered, “No, not really.” Recent reports had claimed the Pentagon informed the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to enable such a delivery.

Ukrainian Military Actions Continue Without Missile Lack

While Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to carry out far-reaching attacks against Russia, it has still managed to wage a successful campaign using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Russian military and key objectives, including oil depots and processing plants. On Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack targeted the Tuapse oil port on the coast, causing a fire and harming two vessels, as stated by Moscow officials. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be shut down.

Turkish Refineries Shift to Non-Russian Oil Supplies

Ankara's largest oil refining facilities are increasing purchases of alternative crude in response to the latest western restrictions on Russia, according to industry sources. Turkey is a major purchaser of oil from Russia, together with Beijing and India, but processing companies are following New Delhi's lead in cutting back supplies.

STAR Refinery Diversifies Oil Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, the STAR refinery, owned by Azeri firm SOCAR, has recently purchased multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other non-Russian suppliers for December delivery, according to insiders. This amount to roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative crude, depending on cargo size. In contrast, Russian crude made up nearly the entirety of the STAR refinery's crude intake in October and September, amounting to approximately 210,000 barrels per day, according to market data. SOCAR refused to comment.

Another Major Refiner Also Increasing Alternative Buys

Another leading Turkey's oil processor – Tupras – was also increasing purchases of alternative types of crude, according to multiple insiders. The company was also likely to soon completely eliminate Russian crude at one of its two main domestic refineries to continue fuel shipments to Europe without breaching the European Union's incoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukrainian Deploys Special Forces to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has deployed elite troops to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an intense Russian offensive involving a large number of troops, according to Ukraine's senior military leader. The city, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply line for the Kyiv's military and has been in Moscow’s sights for over a twelve months as Russia aims to seize the whole eastern Donetsk region.

Latest Updates in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Russian soldiers had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Ukrainian officials reported recently, while military experts assessed that others were advancing on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his evening speech on Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Strengthened Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his allies for additional air defense systems to counter Russia’s attacks, stated on Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air defense network with Germany’s support. “We've boosted the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” he declared, referring to the advanced U.S.-made defense systems. Without offering further details, the Ukraine's leader singled out Germany and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for gratitude.

Russian Attacks Kill Innocents, Cut Electricity

Russian drones and missiles targeting Ukraine took the lives of no fewer than six people, including two children, and cut power to thousands of households, authorities reported on Sunday. Moscow's military attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The children were two boys aged 11 and 14, said Ukraine’s ombudsman. The strikes cut electricity to the entire east Donetsk area as well as almost 58,000 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Eastern military unit confirmed some of its members were killed in one of the enemy attacks on the region.