Donald Trump Says He Isn't Planning Sending Long-Range Cruise Missiles to Ukraine.

Ex-President Trump indicated on Sunday that he is not really contemplating providing Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. When questioned by a journalist on his plane, he answered, “No, not currently.” Earlier reports had indicated the Pentagon informed the White House that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were sufficient to enable such a transfer.

Ukraine's Defense Actions Persist Without Missile Lack

While Ukraine has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to conduct a successful campaign using its domestically-produced drones and rockets against Moscow's armed and strategic objectives, including fuel storage facilities and refineries. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike struck the Tuapse oil port on the coast, causing a blaze and damaging two ships, according to Russian authorities. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkish Oil Plants Shift to Alternative Crude Supplies

Turkey's biggest oil refining facilities are increasing procurement of alternative crude in reaction to the latest international sanctions on Russia, according to industry insiders. The country is a significant buyer of oil from Russia, along with Beijing and India, but processing companies are following New Delhi's example in cutting back supplies.

STAR Refinery Diversifies Crude Procurement

A major Turkey's refineries, the STAR refinery, operated by Azeri company SOCAR, has recently acquired four cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and additional non-Russian suppliers for year-end delivery, according to sources. This represent approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of non-Russian supply, depending on shipment volume. In contrast, Russian crude made up nearly the entirety of the STAR refinery's supply in recent months, amounting to about 210,000 bpd, according to trade information. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Non-Russian Purchases

Another leading Turkish refiner – Tupras – was also raising acquisitions of alternative types of crude, as stated by two insiders. Tupras was also likely to in the near future entirely phase out imports from Russia at a key facility of its two major Turkish plants to maintain fuel shipments to Europe without violating the EU’s incoming sanctions. Tupras declined to comment to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Sends Special Forces to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has deployed special forces to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an fierce Russian assault involving thousands of soldiers, according to Ukraine's top military leader. Pokrovsk, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a key logistical route for the Ukrainian military and has been under Russia's crosshairs for more than a twelve months as Russia pushes to seize the whole east Donetsk area.

Latest Developments in the City

No fewer than two hundred Russian troops had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Kyiv said last week, while military experts concluded that others were advancing on its outskirts in a encircling movement. In his evening speech on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Announces Enhanced Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for more air defense systems to hold off Russia’s attacks, stated on this past Sunday that the country had strengthened its air defense network with Berlin's assistance. “We've boosted the Patriot element of our national air defense,” he said, mentioning the sophisticated U.S.-made air-defence systems. Not providing further details, the Ukraine's leader singled out Berlin and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Civilians, Cut Power

Russian unmanned aircraft and rockets fired at Ukraine killed at least six people, including 2 minors, and disrupted electricity to tens of thousands of residents, authorities said on this past Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the office of the country's prosecutor general. The victims were male minors aged eleven and fourteen, said the nation's human rights commissioner. The strikes cut electricity to the entire eastern Donetsk region as well as nearly 58,000 households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. Ukraine’s Vostok army group said some of its personnel were killed in one of the enemy attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.