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FormerPresident Trump indicated on Sunday that he is not seriously planning providing Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. When questioned by a journalist aboard his plane, he responded, “No, not currently.” Earlier accounts had claimed the U.S. Department of Defense told the White House that American inventories of Tomahawks were sufficient to enable this delivery.

Ukraine's Military Efforts Continue Despite Missile Lack

While Ukraine has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching strikes against Russian targets, it has still succeeded to conduct a effective campaign using its own drones and rockets against Moscow's military and key objectives, including fuel storage facilities and refineries. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack targeted the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a blaze and damaging two vessels, according to Moscow officials. Adjacent Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Shift to Alternative Crude Sources

Ankara's largest oil refining facilities are boosting purchases of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest international restrictions on Russia, according to industry sources. The country is a significant purchaser of Russian crude, together with Beijing and India, but processing companies are following India's example in cutting back supplies.

STAR Plant Expands Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and other non-Russian suppliers for December delivery, as per sources. This represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of alternative crude, varying by shipment volume. By comparison, oil from Russia made up nearly all of the plant's supply in recent months, totaling approximately 210 thousand barrels per day, according to trade data. SOCAR refused to comment.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Alternative Purchases

Another major Turkish refiner – Tupras refinery – was also increasing acquisitions of alternative types of crude, as stated by multiple sources. Tupras was furthermore likely to in the near future entirely eliminate imports from Russia at one of its primary main domestic plants to continue petroleum shipments to the EU without breaching the EU’s upcoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukrainian Sends Special Forces to Eastern City

Kyiv has sent elite troops to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an fierce Russian assault comprising thousands of troops, as stated by Ukraine's top military leader. Pokrovsk, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a key logistical line for the Kyiv's army and has been under Russia's sights for over a twelve months as Moscow pushes to control the entire east Donetsk area.

Latest Updates in Pokrovsk

At least 200 Moscow's troops had breached the city's defensive lines, Ukrainian officials reported recently, while military experts concluded that others were advancing on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his evening address on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “successes in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Announces Strengthened Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for additional air defense systems to hold off Moscow's attacks, stated on this past Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air defense capabilities with Berlin's support. “We have boosted the Patriot element of our national air defense,” he said, referring to the sophisticated U.S.-made defense systems. Without providing further information, the Ukrainian president singled out Berlin and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Russian Attacks Claim Innocents, Disrupt Power

Moscow's unmanned aircraft and missiles fired at Ukraine took the lives of at least 6 people, including 2 minors, and disrupted electricity to tens of thousands of households, authorities reported on this past Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the office of Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The children were two boys of ages 11 and fourteen, said the nation's ombudsman. The attacks disrupted electricity to the entire east Donetsk region as well as nearly 58,000 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors said. Ukraine’s Eastern military unit confirmed a number of its members were killed in one of the enemy strikes on the region.