Trump States He Isn't Planning Supplying Tomahawk Cruise Missiles to Kyiv.

FormerPresident Donald Trump stated this past Sunday that he is not really considering providing Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk missiles. In response to a query by a reporter on his plane, he responded, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier accounts had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to enable such a delivery.

Ukrainian Defense Actions Continue Despite Missile Shortage

While Ukrainian forces has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to conduct long-range strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless managed to wage a successful operation using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Russian armed and key objectives, such as oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack targeted the port facility on the coast, igniting a fire and damaging two ships, according to Moscow authorities. Adjacent Russian airports in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkish Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Oil Sources

Turkey's biggest oil refineries are increasing purchases of alternative crude in response to the recent western restrictions on Moscow, according to market sources. Turkey is a major purchaser of Russian crude, along with China and India, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's example in cutting back imports.

STAR Plant Diversifies Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkish refining plants, the STAR refinery, operated by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and other non-Russian suppliers for year-end delivery, as per sources. This represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian crude, varying by cargo size. By comparison, oil from Russia made up nearly all of the STAR refinery's crude intake in October and September, totaling about 210,000 barrels per day, based on market data. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Also Boosting Non-Russian Purchases

Another major Turkey's refiner – Tupras refinery – was also increasing acquisitions of alternative types of crude, according to two sources. The company was also expected to soon entirely phase out Russian crude at one of its primary major Turkish plants to maintain petroleum exports to Europe without violating the EU’s upcoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a request for comment.

Ukraine Deploys Special Forces to Eastern City

Kyiv has deployed elite troops to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an fierce Russian offensive involving a large number of troops, as stated by Ukraine's top commander. The city, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a key logistical line for the Ukrainian army and has been in Russia's sights for over a year as Moscow pushes to seize the entire east Donetsk area.

Recent Developments in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Russian soldiers had breached the city's defences, Kyiv said last week, while analysts concluded that additional forces were advancing on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped movement. In his nightly speech on Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the fighting in Pokrovsk and “results in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Strengthened Air Defense System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for more air defences to hold off Moscow's attacks, stated on this past Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air defense network with Germany’s assistance. “We have boosted the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” he said, referring to the sophisticated U.S.-made air-defence systems. Not providing further details, the Ukrainian leader singled out Germany and its leader, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Russian Attacks Claim Civilians, Cut Electricity

Russian drones and rockets targeting Ukraine killed no fewer than six individuals, among them two minors, and cut power to thousands of households, authorities said on this past Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the office of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys aged eleven and 14, stated the nation's human rights commissioner. Russia’s attacks disrupted electricity to the whole east Donetsk area as well as nearly 58,000 homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. Ukraine’s Eastern army group said some of its members were killed in one of the enemy strikes on the region.