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FormerPresident Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he was not seriously planning providing Ukraine with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. When questioned by a journalist aboard Air Force One, he responded, “No, not at the moment.” Recent accounts had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense told the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to enable this delivery.

Ukrainian Military Efforts Persist Despite Weapon Shortage

While Ukraine has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to execute far-reaching strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to conduct a effective operation using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Moscow's military and key targets, including fuel storage facilities and refineries. On Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike struck the Tuapse oil port on the Black Sea, causing a blaze and damaging two ships, as stated by Russian authorities. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkish Oil Plants Turn to Alternative Oil Supplies

Ankara's largest oil refineries are increasing procurement of alternative crude in response to the recent international sanctions on Moscow, as reported by market insiders. The country is a significant purchaser of Russian crude, together with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's example in reducing imports.

STAR Plant Expands Oil Sources

One of the largest Turkish refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), owned by Azeri firm SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other alternative producers for year-end delivery, according to insiders. These purchases amount to roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative crude, varying by cargo size. In contrast, oil from Russia accounted for nearly the entirety of the STAR refinery's supply in recent months, totaling about 210,000 barrels per day, according to trade data. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Buys

The other major Turkish oil processor – Tupras – was also raising acquisitions of non-Russian types of crude, as stated by two insiders. Tupras was also likely to soon completely phase out Russian crude at one of its two main Turkish plants to continue fuel shipments to the EU without violating the European Union's upcoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has sent special forces to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an fierce Russian offensive comprising a large number of soldiers, according to Kyiv’s top military leader. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a key supply route for the Kyiv's military and has been under Moscow’s crosshairs for over a year as Russia pushes to seize the entire eastern Donetsk area.

Recent Developments in the City

At least two hundred Moscow's soldiers had penetrated the city's defences, Kyiv reported last week, while analysts concluded that others were advancing on its perimeter in a encircling movement. In his nightly speech on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Reveals Strengthened Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for additional air defense systems to hold off Russia’s strikes, announced on this past Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air-defence capabilities with Germany’s support. “We've boosted the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” Zelenskyy declared, referring to the advanced American air-defence systems. Without providing additional details, the Ukrainian president singled out Germany and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Russian Attacks Claim Civilians, Cut Power

Russian drones and rockets fired at Ukraine killed no fewer than 6 individuals, including 2 minors, and cut power to tens of thousands of residents, officials said on this past Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the office of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The children were two boys of ages 11 and fourteen, stated the nation's ombudsman. Russia’s strikes cut power to the entire east Donetsk region as well as almost 58,000 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. The Vostok army group confirmed some of its members were killed in one of the Russian strikes on the region.