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FormerPresident Trump indicated this past Sunday that he is not seriously considering providing Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. In response to a query by a journalist aboard Air Force One, he responded, “No, not really.” Recent accounts had suggested the Pentagon told the White House that American inventories of Tomahawks were ample to enable this delivery.

Ukrainian Military Actions Continue Despite Weapon Lack

Although Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to conduct long-range attacks against Russia, it has still succeeded to wage a effective campaign using its domestically-produced drones and rockets against Russian armed and key targets, including fuel storage facilities and processing plants. On Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack struck the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a blaze and harming two ships, as stated by Moscow officials. Nearby Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkish Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Crude Supplies

Turkey's biggest oil refineries are increasing procurement of alternative crude in reaction to the latest western sanctions on Moscow, as reported by industry sources. The country is a significant buyer of Russian crude, together with China and India, but refiners are following India's lead in cutting back imports.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Expands Crude Sources

One of the largest Turkish refining plants, the STAR refinery, owned by Azeri company SOCAR, has recently purchased multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other non-Russian suppliers for December arrival, according to insiders. This amount to roughly tens of thousands of barrels daily of alternative supply, depending on cargo size. By comparison, oil from Russia made up virtually all of the STAR refinery's supply in recent months, amounting to about 210 thousand barrels per day, based on market data. SOCAR declined to comment.

Tupras Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Buys

Another leading Turkey's refiner – Tupras – was also increasing acquisitions of alternative types of crude, as stated by two insiders. The company was also likely to soon entirely phase out imports from Russia at a key facility of its two main domestic refineries to continue petroleum shipments to the EU without breaching the EU’s upcoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukrainian Sends Elite Units to Eastern City

Kyiv has sent elite troops to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an intense Moscow's assault comprising thousands of soldiers, as stated by Kyiv’s senior military leader. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply route for the Ukrainian military and has been in Russia's sights for over a twelve months as Russia pushes to control the whole east Donetsk area.

Latest Developments in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Russian soldiers had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Kyiv said recently, while analysts assessed that additional forces were advancing on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his nightly address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Strengthened Air Defense Network

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for additional air defense systems to counter Russia’s attacks, announced on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air defense network with Germany’s support. “We have boosted the U.S.-made Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defence,” Zelenskyy declared, mentioning the sophisticated American air-defence systems. Without offering further details, the Ukrainian president specifically thanked Berlin and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Civilians, Disrupt Electricity

Moscow's drones and missiles targeting Ukraine killed at least 6 people, including 2 children, and cut electricity to tens of thousands of residents, authorities reported on this past Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the representatives of Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The children were two boys of ages 11 and fourteen, said Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. Russia’s strikes cut power to the whole eastern Donetsk area as well as nearly 58 thousand households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. Ukraine’s Vostok army group said a number of its members were killed in a particular of the Russian attacks on the region.