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Ex-President Donald Trump stated this past Sunday that he was not seriously contemplating providing Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a reporter on his plane, he responded, “No, not currently.” Earlier reports had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense told the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to allow such a delivery.

Ukraine's Military Actions Persist Without Weapon Lack

Although Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to carry out far-reaching strikes against Russian targets, it has still managed to wage a successful campaign using its own drones and rockets against Russian military and strategic objectives, including oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike hit the port facility on the coast, causing a fire and harming two ships, according to Moscow authorities. Adjacent Russian airports in the region also had to be shut down.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Alternative Crude Supplies

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are boosting procurement of alternative crude in response to the latest international restrictions on Moscow, according to industry insiders. Turkey is a major buyer of Russian crude, along with China and India, but processing companies are mirroring India's lead in cutting back supplies.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Expands Crude Procurement

A major Turkey's refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), owned by Azeri company SOCAR, has recently acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and additional non-Russian suppliers for December delivery, according to sources. This represent approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative supply, depending on cargo size. By comparison, Russian crude made up virtually all of the plant's supply in October and September, amounting to approximately 210,000 barrels per day, according to trade data. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Purchases

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

Ukraine Sends Special Forces to Eastern City

Kyiv has sent special forces to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an intense Moscow's offensive comprising thousands of troops, according to Kyiv’s top military leader. The city, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a major logistical line for the Ukrainian army and has been in Moscow’s crosshairs for more than a year as Russia aims to control the entire east Donetsk region.

Recent Developments in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Moscow's troops had breached Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Ukrainian officials said last week, while analysts assessed that additional forces were advancing on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped movement. In his nightly address on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Announces Enhanced Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his allies for additional air defense systems to hold off Russia’s strikes, stated on this past Sunday that the country had reinforced its air defense network with Berlin's assistance. “We've strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot component of our national air defense,” he declared, referring to the sophisticated American air-defence systems. Not providing additional information, the Ukraine's president specifically thanked Berlin and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Innocents, Disrupt Power

Russian drones and missiles fired at Ukraine killed at least six individuals, including 2 minors, and disrupted power to tens of thousands of residents, authorities said on Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the office of Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The victims were two boys of ages 11 and 14, said the nation's human rights commissioner. Russia’s attacks disrupted electricity to the entire east Donetsk area as well as almost 58,000 households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. The Eastern military unit confirmed a number of its personnel were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on the region.