🔗 Share this article

FormerPresident Trump remarked on Sunday that he is not really considering sending Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a journalist on his plane, he answered, “No, not really.” Earlier reports had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow this delivery.

Ukraine's Military Efforts Continue Without Weapon Lack

Although Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to conduct long-range strikes against Russian targets, it has still succeeded to conduct a successful campaign using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Russian military and strategic targets, including fuel storage facilities and refineries. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike hit the Tuapse oil port on the coast, causing a fire and harming two vessels, as stated by Moscow authorities. Adjacent airfields in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Alternative Crude Sources

Turkey's biggest oil refineries are boosting purchases of non-Russian crude in reaction to the recent international sanctions on Russia, according to industry insiders. The country is a major purchaser of oil from Russia, along with China and India, but refiners are mirroring India's lead in cutting back imports.

STAR Refinery Expands Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, the STAR refinery, operated by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has recently acquired four shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional non-Russian suppliers for December arrival, according to insiders. These purchases represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of alternative crude, varying by cargo size. In contrast, oil from Russia made up virtually all of the plant's supply in recent months, amounting to approximately 210,000 barrels per day, based on trade data. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Also Increasing Non-Russian Buys

The other major Turkish oil processor – Tupras – was also raising acquisitions of non-Russian types of crude, according to two insiders. Tupras was also likely to in the near future completely eliminate imports from Russia at a key facility of its primary major Turkish refineries to continue petroleum exports to Europe without violating the European Union's incoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukrainian Deploys Special Forces to Eastern City

Ukraine has deployed elite troops to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an fierce Russian assault comprising thousands of soldiers, according to Kyiv’s senior military leader. Pokrovsk, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a major logistical route for the Kyiv's army and has been in Russia's sights for more than a twelve months as Russia aims to control the whole eastern Donetsk area.

Latest Developments in the City

No fewer than 200 Russian soldiers had breached the city's defences, Ukrainian officials said last week, while analysts concluded that additional forces were advancing on its outskirts in a encircling movement. In his evening address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the combat in Pokrovsk and “successes in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Strengthened Air Defence System

The president, who has been urging his allies for additional air defences to hold off Russia’s attacks, announced on this past Sunday that the country had reinforced its air defense network with Germany’s assistance. “We have boosted the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” he said, mentioning the sophisticated U.S.-made defense systems. Not providing further details, the Ukraine's leader singled out Germany and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Innocents, Cut Power

Moscow's drones and rockets targeting Ukrainian territory took the lives of no fewer than 6 people, including 2 minors, and disrupted power to thousands of households, officials said 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 of ages eleven and fourteen, stated the nation's ombudsman. Russia’s attacks cut power to the whole eastern Donetsk area as well as almost 58,000 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. The Eastern military unit confirmed a number of its personnel were killed in a particular of the Russian attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.