🔗 Share this article

FormerPresident Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he is not actively planning providing Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. When questioned by a reporter aboard his plane, he replied, “No, not really.” Earlier reports had claimed the Pentagon informed the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to allow this delivery.

Ukrainian Military Efforts Persist Without Missile Shortage

While Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to conduct a effective campaign using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Moscow's military and strategic targets, including oil depots and processing plants. On Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack hit the port facility on the coast, causing a blaze and damaging two vessels, as stated by Moscow authorities. Adjacent airfields in the area also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Alternative Crude Supplies

Turkey's biggest oil refining facilities are boosting purchases of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest western sanctions on Russia, as reported by industry sources. The country is a major buyer of Russian crude, together with Beijing and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring India's example in reducing supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Diversifies Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has lately acquired four cargoes of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and additional alternative suppliers for December delivery, according to insiders. This represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of alternative supply, varying by cargo size. In contrast, Russian crude accounted for virtually the entirety of the STAR refinery's crude intake in October and September, totaling approximately 210,000 bpd, based on market information. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Tupras Also Boosting Alternative Purchases

Another major Turkish refiner – Tupras refinery – was also raising acquisitions of non-Russian types of crude, as stated by two insiders. The company was furthermore expected to in the near future entirely eliminate Russian crude at a key facility of its primary main domestic refineries to continue petroleum exports to Europe without violating the EU’s upcoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Deploys Elite Units to Eastern City

Kyiv has deployed elite troops to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an fierce Moscow's offensive comprising thousands of troops, as stated by Ukraine's senior commander. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a key supply route for the Ukrainian military and has been under Moscow’s crosshairs for over a year as Moscow pushes to seize the entire east Donetsk area.

Recent Updates in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Russian troops had breached Pokrovsk’s defences, Kyiv said recently, while analysts assessed that additional forces were advancing on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped movement. In his evening address on Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the combat in the city and “results in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Strengthened Air Defense System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for more air defences to counter Moscow's attacks, announced on Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence capabilities with Berlin's support. “We've strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot element of our national air defense,” Zelenskyy declared, mentioning the advanced U.S.-made defense systems. Without offering additional information, the Ukraine's leader singled out Germany and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Russian Strikes Kill Civilians, Disrupt Power

Moscow's drones and rockets fired at Ukraine killed at least six people, including two children, and disrupted power to tens of thousands of residents, officials reported on Sunday. Moscow's military attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the representatives of the country's prosecutor general. The victims were two boys of ages eleven and 14, said Ukraine’s ombudsman. The attacks disrupted electricity to the whole east Donetsk area as well as nearly 58,000 homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors said. The Eastern military unit said a number of its members were killed in a particular of the Russian attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.