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FormerPresident Donald Trump indicated on Sunday that he was not actively contemplating supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a reporter on Air Force One, he responded, “No, not really.” Recent accounts had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow this transfer.

Ukraine's Defense Efforts Continue Despite Missile Shortage

While Ukrainian forces has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching attacks against Russia, it has nonetheless managed to wage a successful campaign using its domestically-produced drones and rockets against Russian armed and key objectives, such as fuel storage facilities and refineries. On Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack targeted the port facility on the coast, causing a blaze and harming two ships, as stated by Moscow officials. Adjacent Russian airports in the region also had to be shut down.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Alternative Crude Sources

Ankara's largest oil refining facilities are increasing procurement of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest international restrictions on Russia, according to industry insiders. The country is a significant buyer of oil from Russia, together with China and India, but refiners are following India's lead in cutting back imports.

STAR Refinery Diversifies Crude Sources

A major Turkish refining plants, the STAR refinery, owned by Azeri company SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and other non-Russian producers for December delivery, according to sources. These purchases amount to approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian crude, varying by cargo size. By comparison, oil from Russia accounted for virtually all of the STAR refinery's supply in recent months, amounting to about 210,000 barrels per day, based on market data. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Buys

The other major Turkish oil processor – Tupras – was also raising purchases of non-Russian grades of crude, as stated by two insiders. The company was also expected to soon completely eliminate imports from Russia at a key facility of its two major domestic refineries to continue petroleum exports to the EU without breaching the European Union's incoming sanctions. Tupras declined to comment to a request for comment.

Ukraine Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has deployed elite troops to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an fierce Russian offensive involving thousands of soldiers, according to Ukraine's senior commander. Pokrovsk, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply line for the Kyiv's military and has been in Russia's sights for more than a year as Russia aims to seize the entire east Donetsk area.

Recent Updates in Pokrovsk

No fewer than two hundred Russian soldiers had breached the city's defences, Ukrainian officials reported last week, while military experts concluded that additional forces were advancing on its outskirts in a encircling maneuver. In his evening speech on Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the fighting in Pokrovsk and “results in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Announces Strengthened Air Defense Network

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for more air defences to counter Moscow's strikes, announced on Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence network with Berlin's support. “We've strengthened the Patriot component of our national air defence,” he declared, referring to the sophisticated American air-defence systems. Not providing additional information, the Ukrainian leader specifically thanked Berlin and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Claim Civilians, Cut Electricity

Russian drones and rockets fired at Ukraine took the lives of at least six individuals, among them 2 minors, and cut electricity to tens of thousands of residents, authorities reported on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the office of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were male minors of ages eleven and 14, stated Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. Russia’s attacks disrupted electricity to the entire east Donetsk area as well as almost 58,000 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Vostok army group said some of its personnel were killed in one of the enemy strikes on the region.