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FormerPresident Donald Trump indicated on Sunday that he is not actively considering providing Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a reporter aboard Air Force One, he replied, “No, not currently.” Earlier reports had suggested the Pentagon told the administration that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were ample to enable this transfer.

Ukrainian Defense Efforts Continue Without Weapon Shortage

Although Ukrainian forces has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to carry out far-reaching strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to conduct a successful operation using its own drones and rockets against Moscow's armed and key objectives, including fuel storage facilities and processing plants. On Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack targeted the Tuapse oil port on the coast, causing a fire and harming two ships, as stated by Russian officials. Nearby Russian airports in the region also had to be closed.

Turkish Refineries Turn to Alternative Crude Sources

Ankara's biggest oil refineries are increasing purchases of non-Russian crude in reaction to the recent western sanctions on Russia, according to market sources. Turkey is a major buyer of oil from Russia, along with China and India, but refiners are following India's example in cutting back imports.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Diversifies Oil Procurement

A major Turkey's refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other non-Russian suppliers for December arrival, as per sources. This amount to roughly tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of alternative supply, depending on shipment volume. By comparison, Russian crude accounted for virtually all of the STAR refinery's supply in October and September, totaling about 210 thousand bpd, based on market information. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Boosting Non-Russian Buys

Another leading Turkey's refiner – Tupras – was also raising acquisitions of non-Russian grades of crude, according to two sources. Tupras was also likely to in the near future entirely phase out imports from Russia at one of its two major domestic plants to continue fuel shipments to the EU without violating the EU’s incoming sanctions. The refiner did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukrainian Sends Special Forces to Eastern City

Kyiv has sent special forces to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an fierce Moscow's assault involving thousands of soldiers, as stated by Kyiv’s top commander. The city, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply line for the Kyiv's military and has been in Russia's crosshairs for over a year as Russia aims to control the entire east Donetsk region.

Latest Updates in Pokrovsk

At least 200 Russian troops had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defences, Kyiv said last week, while analysts assessed that others were advancing on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped movement. In his evening address on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “successes in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Reveals Enhanced Air Defence System

The president, who has been pushing his allies for more air defences to counter Moscow's strikes, stated on Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air defense capabilities with Germany’s support. “We have strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defense,” Zelenskyy said, referring to the advanced U.S.-made air-defence systems. Not providing further information, the Ukraine's leader singled out Berlin and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Claim Civilians, Disrupt Power

Russian drones and rockets fired at Ukrainian territory took the lives of at least 6 individuals, including two minors, and cut power to thousands of residents, authorities reported on this past Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the office of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The children were two boys of ages 11 and fourteen, stated Ukraine’s ombudsman. Russia’s attacks cut electricity to the whole eastern Donetsk area as well as nearly 58,000 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors said. Ukraine’s Eastern military unit said a number of its members were killed in a particular of the Russian strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.