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FormerPresident Donald Trump stated this past Sunday that he is not really planning providing Ukraine with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a reporter aboard Air Force One, he answered, “No, not really.” Earlier reports had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to enable this transfer.

Ukrainian Defense Actions Continue Despite Weapon Lack

Although Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching strikes against Russian targets, it has nonetheless managed to wage a effective operation using its own drones and rockets against Russian armed and key targets, including oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack targeted the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a blaze and harming two vessels, as stated by Russian officials. Nearby Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Shift to Alternative Crude Supplies

Turkey's biggest oil refineries are increasing purchases of alternative crude in response to the latest western sanctions on Moscow, as reported by industry sources. The country is a major purchaser of Russian crude, together with Beijing and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's lead in reducing supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Diversifies Oil Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azeri company SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and additional alternative producers for year-end delivery, according to sources. These purchases represent approximately tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian crude, varying by shipment volume. In contrast, Russian crude accounted for virtually all of the STAR refinery's crude intake in recent months, amounting to about 210,000 bpd, based on trade data. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Alternative Buys

The other leading Turkish oil processor – Tupras refinery – was also raising acquisitions of alternative grades of crude, according to multiple sources. The company was also expected to soon completely eliminate imports from Russia at one of its primary major Turkish plants to maintain fuel exports to the EU without breaching the EU’s incoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for a statement.

Ukrainian Deploys Special Forces to Eastern City

Ukraine has sent elite troops to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an intense Moscow's assault involving thousands of troops, according to Kyiv’s senior military leader. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a major logistical route for the Ukrainian army and has been in Moscow’s sights for more than a twelve months as Russia aims to seize the whole eastern Donetsk area.

Latest Developments in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Russian troops had penetrated the city's defences, Ukrainian officials said recently, while analysts concluded that others were closing in on its outskirts in a encircling maneuver. In his evening address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the fighting in the city and “successes in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Strengthened Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for additional air defences to counter Russia’s attacks, announced on Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air-defence network with Germany’s assistance. “We've strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defence,” Zelenskyy declared, mentioning the advanced American defense systems. Without offering additional details, the Ukraine's leader singled out Germany and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Strikes Claim Civilians, Cut Electricity

Moscow's drones and missiles targeting Ukraine took the lives of at least six people, including 2 children, and cut electricity to tens of thousands of residents, authorities said on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The children were two boys aged eleven and 14, stated the nation's ombudsman. The attacks disrupted power to the whole east Donetsk area as well as almost 58,000 households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors said. Ukraine’s Vostok military unit confirmed some of its personnel were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.