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FormerPresident Donald Trump remarked this past Sunday that he is not seriously considering providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a journalist aboard his plane, he responded, “No, not really.” Earlier accounts had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense informed the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to enable such a delivery.

Ukrainian Defense Actions Persist Despite Missile Lack

Although Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to execute far-reaching strikes against Russian targets, it has nonetheless managed to wage a effective operation using its own drones and missiles against Russian armed and strategic objectives, such as oil depots and processing plants. On Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack struck the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a blaze and damaging two ships, according to Russian authorities. Adjacent airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Crude Sources

Turkey's biggest oil refining facilities are increasing procurement of non-Russian crude in reaction to the recent international restrictions on Russia, according to industry sources. Turkey is a major buyer of Russian crude, along with China and India, but refiners are mirroring India's lead in reducing supplies.

STAR Plant Expands Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkey's refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azeri company SOCAR, has lately purchased four cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other non-Russian producers for December delivery, according to sources. These purchases amount to approximately tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian supply, depending on cargo size. In contrast, Russian crude accounted for nearly all of the plant's supply in recent months, totaling approximately 210,000 barrels per day, according to market information. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Purchases

Another major Turkish oil processor – Tupras refinery – was additionally raising purchases of non-Russian grades of crude, according to two sources. Tupras was furthermore expected to in the near future completely eliminate imports from Russia at a key facility of its two major domestic refineries to continue petroleum exports to the EU without breaching the EU’s upcoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Sends Special Forces to Eastern City

Kyiv has sent elite troops to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an fierce Moscow's assault involving a large number of troops, according to Kyiv’s top military leader. The city, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a major supply line for the Kyiv's army and has been in Russia's sights for over a year as Russia aims to seize the whole eastern Donetsk region.

Latest Developments in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Moscow's soldiers had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Kyiv said last week, while military experts assessed that others were closing in on its outskirts in a encircling maneuver. In his nightly speech on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the combat in Pokrovsk and “successes in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Strengthened Air Defence System

The president, who has been pushing his partners for more air defense systems to hold off Moscow's attacks, announced on this past Sunday that the country had reinforced its air defense network with Germany’s support. “We've strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defence,” he said, referring to the advanced American air-defence systems. Without providing further information, the Ukrainian leader specifically thanked Berlin and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Russian Strikes Kill Civilians, Disrupt Power

Russian drones and rockets fired at Ukrainian territory killed no fewer than 6 individuals, including two minors, and disrupted electricity to thousands of households, officials reported on Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The children were two boys of ages eleven and fourteen, said Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. Russia’s attacks cut power to the entire eastern Donetsk region as well as nearly 58,000 homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. Ukraine’s Vostok military unit said some of its personnel were killed in a particular of the Russian strikes on the region.