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Ex-President Trump stated on Sunday that he is not seriously contemplating providing Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk missiles. In response to a query by a journalist on Air Force One, he responded, “No, not really.” Earlier accounts had claimed the Pentagon told the administration that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to enable this delivery.

Ukraine's Military Actions Continue Without Missile Shortage

Although Ukraine has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching attacks against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to conduct a effective campaign using its domestically-produced drones and missiles against Moscow's military and key objectives, including fuel storage facilities and refineries. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack targeted the Tuapse oil port on the coast, causing a fire and damaging two vessels, according to Russian authorities. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Oil Supplies

Turkey's biggest oil refineries are increasing purchases of non-Russian crude in reaction to the recent western restrictions on Russia, according to market insiders. Turkey is a major purchaser of Russian crude, together with China and India, but processing companies are mirroring India's lead in cutting back supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Diversifies Crude Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), owned by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and additional alternative producers for year-end arrival, according to insiders. This represent approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of non-Russian supply, depending on shipment volume. By comparison, oil from Russia made up virtually all of the plant's supply in recent months, totaling about 210,000 bpd, based on trade information. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Also Increasing Non-Russian Purchases

The other major Turkey's oil processor – Tupras refinery – was additionally raising acquisitions of non-Russian grades of crude, according to multiple insiders. Tupras was also expected to soon completely phase out Russian crude at one of its primary major Turkish refineries to continue fuel exports to Europe without violating the European Union's upcoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Sends Elite Units to Eastern City

Ukraine has sent special forces to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an intense Russian assault involving a large number of troops, as stated by Kyiv’s top military leader. The city, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply line for the Ukrainian military and has been in Russia's sights for more than a year as Moscow pushes to control the entire east Donetsk area.

Latest Updates in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Russian soldiers had breached Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Ukrainian officials reported last week, while military experts concluded that others were advancing on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped movement. In his nightly address on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the fighting in the city and “results in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defense System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for more air defences to counter Russia’s attacks, announced on Sunday that the country had reinforced its air defense capabilities with Berlin's assistance. “We have strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” he declared, mentioning the advanced U.S.-made defense systems. Without providing further information, the Ukrainian president specifically thanked Germany and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Moscow's Strikes Kill Innocents, Cut Electricity

Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles fired at Ukrainian territory took the lives of no fewer than six people, including 2 minors, and disrupted power to thousands of households, authorities said on this past Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the representatives of Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The children were two boys of ages 11 and fourteen, said Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. The strikes disrupted power to the whole east Donetsk region as well as nearly 58 thousand households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. Ukraine’s Eastern military unit said a number of its personnel were killed in one of the Russian strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.