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FormerPresident Donald Trump remarked this past Sunday that he was not actively considering providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. In response to a query by a journalist on his plane, he responded, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier accounts had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to allow this delivery.

Ukrainian Defense Efforts Persist Despite Weapon Lack

Although Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to carry out far-reaching strikes against Russian targets, it has still succeeded to wage a successful campaign using its own drones and missiles against Moscow's armed and strategic targets, including fuel storage facilities and refineries. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike targeted the port facility on the Black Sea, igniting a fire and harming two vessels, as stated by Russian officials. Adjacent Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkey Oil Plants Shift to Non-Russian Crude Sources

Turkey's largest oil refineries are boosting purchases of non-Russian crude in reaction to the recent international restrictions on Moscow, according to industry insiders. The country is a major purchaser of oil from Russia, along with Beijing and New Delhi, but refiners are following New Delhi's example in reducing supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Diversifies Crude Procurement

A major Turkey's refining plants, the STAR refinery, operated by Azeri firm SOCAR, has recently acquired multiple cargoes of crude from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and additional non-Russian producers for December arrival, as per insiders. These purchases amount to roughly tens of thousands of barrels daily of alternative supply, varying by cargo size. By comparison, Russian crude made up virtually the entirety of the STAR refinery's crude intake in recent months, amounting to about 210 thousand barrels per day, based on market data. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Boosting Non-Russian Purchases

The other leading Turkey's refiner – Tupras refinery – was also raising purchases of alternative types of crude, as stated by multiple sources. The company was also expected to in the near future completely phase out Russian crude at one of its two major domestic plants to continue fuel exports to the EU without violating the EU’s incoming sanctions. The refiner did not respond to a request for comment.

Ukrainian Sends Special Forces to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has deployed elite troops to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an intense Russian offensive comprising a large number of troops, according to Ukraine's top commander. The city, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a key supply route for the Kyiv's military and has been in Russia's crosshairs for more than a twelve months as Moscow aims to seize the entire eastern Donetsk region.

Latest Updates in the City

No fewer than 200 Moscow's troops had breached Pokrovsk’s defences, Ukrainian officials said last week, while military experts concluded that others were advancing on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped movement. In his evening speech on Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defense System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for additional air defense systems to hold off Russia’s attacks, stated on Sunday that the country had strengthened its air defense capabilities with Berlin's support. “We have boosted the U.S.-made Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defense,” he said, referring to the advanced American defense systems. Not providing further information, the Ukraine's leader singled out Berlin and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Russian Strikes Claim Civilians, Cut Electricity

Russian unmanned aircraft and rockets fired at Ukraine killed at least six people, among them 2 children, and disrupted electricity to thousands of households, authorities said on Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were male minors 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 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Eastern army group said some of its members were killed in a particular of the enemy strikes on the region.