🔗 Share this article

Ex-President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he is not really considering supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. When questioned by a journalist aboard his plane, he answered, “No, not really.” Earlier reports had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense informed the White House that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were sufficient to enable this transfer.

Ukraine's Military Actions Continue Despite Missile Lack

While Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to conduct long-range strikes against Russia, it has still succeeded to conduct a effective operation using its domestically-produced drones and rockets against Moscow's military and strategic objectives, such as fuel storage facilities and processing plants. On Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike hit the port facility on the coast, causing a fire and damaging two ships, as stated by Russian officials. Nearby Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Alternative Crude Sources

Turkey's largest oil refining facilities are increasing purchases of alternative crude in response to the latest western sanctions on Moscow, according to market insiders. Turkey is a significant purchaser of Russian crude, together with China and India, but refiners are following New Delhi's example in cutting back supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Expands Oil Sources

One of the largest Turkish refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), owned by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional alternative producers for December delivery, according to insiders. These purchases amount to roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of alternative crude, depending on shipment volume. By comparison, oil from Russia accounted for virtually all of the STAR refinery's crude intake in October and September, amounting to about 210 thousand barrels per day, according to trade information. SOCAR refused to comment.

Another Major Refiner Also Boosting Alternative Purchases

The other leading Turkish oil processor – Tupras – was additionally increasing acquisitions of alternative grades of crude, as stated by two sources. The company was also expected to in the near future completely phase out Russian crude at a key facility of its primary main Turkish refineries to maintain petroleum exports to Europe without violating the European Union's incoming sanctions. The refiner declined to comment to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has deployed elite troops to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an intense Moscow's offensive involving thousands of troops, according to Kyiv’s senior commander. Pokrovsk, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a key supply route for the Ukrainian military and has been under Moscow’s crosshairs for over a year as Moscow aims to seize the whole east Donetsk area.

Latest Updates in Pokrovsk

At least 200 Russian soldiers had breached Pokrovsk’s defences, Ukrainian officials said recently, while military experts concluded that others were closing in on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his nightly speech on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the combat in the city and “successes in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Reveals Strengthened Air Defence System

The president, who has been urging his allies for more air defense systems to counter Russia’s attacks, announced on this past Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air defense capabilities with Germany’s assistance. “We have strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot element of our national air defense,” Zelenskyy said, referring to the sophisticated U.S.-made defense systems. Not offering additional information, the Ukraine's leader singled out Germany and its leader, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Claim Innocents, Disrupt Electricity

Moscow's drones and rockets fired at Ukraine took the lives of at least 6 individuals, including two children, and cut electricity to thousands of households, authorities said on this past Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The children were male minors of ages 11 and fourteen, said the nation's human rights commissioner. Russia’s strikes cut power to the entire east Donetsk area as well as nearly 58,000 households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors said. Ukraine’s Vostok army group said some of its personnel were killed in one of the enemy attacks on the region.