Donald Trump Affirms He Isn't Contemplating Sending Tomahawk Missiles to Kyiv.

Ex-President Donald Trump remarked this past Sunday that he is not seriously planning providing Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. When questioned by a reporter on Air Force One, he replied, “No, not really.” Earlier accounts had indicated the Pentagon told the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow this transfer.

Ukraine's Defense Actions Continue Without Missile Shortage

Although Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching attacks against Russian targets, it has still managed to wage a successful operation using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Russian military and key targets, such as fuel storage facilities and refineries. On Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike hit the port facility on the coast, causing a blaze and damaging two vessels, according to Moscow officials. Adjacent airfields in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkish Refineries Shift to Non-Russian Oil Supplies

Turkey's largest oil refining facilities are increasing procurement of non-Russian crude in response to the latest international sanctions on Russia, as reported by industry insiders. The country is a significant buyer of oil from Russia, together with Beijing and India, but refiners are mirroring India's example in reducing imports.

STAR Refinery Diversifies Oil Procurement

A major Turkey's refining plants, the STAR refinery, owned by Azeri company SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple cargoes of crude from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and other alternative producers for year-end arrival, as per insiders. This amount to approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian supply, varying by cargo size. In contrast, Russian crude accounted for nearly all of the plant's crude intake in recent months, totaling approximately 210,000 bpd, based on trade information. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Boosting Alternative Buys

Another leading Turkish refiner – Tupras – was additionally increasing acquisitions of non-Russian grades of crude, according to multiple sources. The company was furthermore expected to soon completely phase out Russian crude at one of its primary major Turkish plants to maintain petroleum exports to the EU without violating the European Union's incoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for a statement.

Ukrainian Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has sent special forces to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an fierce Moscow's offensive comprising thousands of soldiers, as stated by Kyiv’s top military leader. The city, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a major supply line for the Kyiv's army and has been in Moscow’s crosshairs for more than a twelve months as Russia pushes to seize the entire eastern Donetsk region.

Latest Updates in Pokrovsk

At least 200 Russian soldiers had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Kyiv said last week, while military experts concluded that others were closing in on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his evening address on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the combat in the city and “results in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Announces Strengthened Air Defense System

The president, who has been urging his partners for additional air defences to counter Moscow's strikes, stated on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air defense network with Berlin's support. “We've boosted the U.S.-made Patriot component of our national air defence,” Zelenskyy said, mentioning the advanced U.S.-made defense systems. Without providing further details, the Ukrainian president specifically thanked Germany and its leader, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Moscow's Strikes Kill Civilians, Cut Power

Moscow's drones and rockets targeting Ukraine took the lives of at least 6 people, including 2 minors, and disrupted power to thousands of residents, authorities reported on this past Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the representatives of the country's chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys aged eleven and fourteen, stated Ukraine’s ombudsman. Russia’s attacks disrupted power to the entire east Donetsk area as well as nearly 58 thousand households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. Ukraine’s Vostok military unit confirmed some of its members were killed in one of the Russian strikes on the region.