🔗 Share this article

FormerPresident Donald Trump indicated on Sunday that he was not really contemplating sending Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a journalist aboard Air Force One, he answered, “No, not really.” Earlier accounts had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to enable such a transfer.

Ukrainian Defense Efforts Persist Without Weapon Shortage

Although Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching attacks against Russian targets, it has nonetheless managed to wage a successful operation using its domestically-produced drones and missiles against Russian armed and strategic targets, such as oil depots and processing plants. On Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack struck the port facility on the coast, igniting a fire and harming two vessels, as stated by Moscow authorities. Nearby Russian airports in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Alternative Oil Supplies

Turkey's largest oil refineries are boosting procurement of alternative crude in response to the latest western sanctions on Russia, according to market insiders. Turkey is a major purchaser of oil from Russia, together with Beijing and India, but refiners are following India's example in reducing supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Diversifies Crude Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, the STAR refinery, operated by Azeri company SOCAR, has recently purchased four shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and additional alternative producers for year-end arrival, according to sources. This represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of non-Russian supply, depending on cargo size. In contrast, Russian crude made up virtually the entirety of the plant's supply in October and September, amounting to about 210 thousand bpd, based on market information. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Increasing Alternative Buys

The other leading Turkey's oil processor – Tupras refinery – was also raising purchases of alternative types of crude, as stated by multiple sources. Tupras was also likely to in the near future completely eliminate Russian crude at a key facility of its primary major domestic plants to maintain petroleum exports to Europe without breaching the EU’s upcoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for a statement.

Ukraine Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has deployed elite troops to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an fierce Russian offensive involving thousands of soldiers, as stated by Ukraine's senior commander. Pokrovsk, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a major logistical route for the Ukrainian military and has been under Moscow’s sights for more than a twelve months as Moscow pushes to control the entire east Donetsk region.

Latest Developments in the City

No fewer than 200 Russian troops had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defences, Kyiv reported last week, while analysts concluded that others were advancing on its perimeter in a encircling maneuver. In his nightly address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the combat in the city and “results in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Announces Enhanced Air Defense System

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his allies for additional air defense systems to counter Russia’s strikes, announced on Sunday that the country had reinforced its air defense capabilities with Germany’s assistance. “We have strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defence,” Zelenskyy said, mentioning the sophisticated American air-defence systems. Not offering further information, the Ukrainian leader singled out Berlin and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for gratitude.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Civilians, Cut Power

Moscow's drones and missiles targeting Ukrainian territory took the lives of at least six people, including two minors, and cut power to thousands of households, officials said on this past Sunday. Moscow's military attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The children were male minors aged eleven and fourteen, said Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. The attacks disrupted power to the whole east Donetsk region as well as almost 58,000 households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. Ukraine’s Eastern army group said a number of its personnel were killed in one of the Russian attacks on the region.