Trump States He Isn't Considering Sending Long-Range Cruise Missiles to Ukraine.

Ex-President Donald Trump remarked this past Sunday that he was not actively considering sending Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a journalist on his plane, he answered, “No, not currently.” Earlier accounts had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense told the White House that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to enable this transfer.

Ukraine's Military Actions Continue Despite Weapon Lack

While Ukrainian forces has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless managed to conduct a successful operation using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Russian military and key targets, including oil depots and refineries. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike struck the port facility on the coast, causing a fire and harming two ships, as stated by Russian officials. Adjacent Russian airports in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkish Refineries Turn to Alternative Crude Supplies

Ankara's largest oil refining facilities are increasing purchases of non-Russian crude in response to the recent western sanctions on Moscow, as reported by industry sources. Turkey is a major purchaser of oil from Russia, along with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring India's example in reducing imports.

STAR Plant Diversifies Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, the STAR refinery, owned by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has recently acquired multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and other non-Russian suppliers for year-end arrival, according to insiders. This represent approximately tens of thousands of barrels daily of non-Russian supply, varying by shipment volume. In contrast, oil from Russia made up virtually all of the plant's supply in recent months, amounting to about 210,000 barrels per day, according to trade information. SOCAR declined to comment.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Buys

The other major Turkey's refiner – Tupras refinery – was additionally raising purchases of alternative grades of crude, as stated by multiple sources. Tupras was furthermore expected to soon completely phase out Russian crude at a key facility of its primary major domestic plants to maintain fuel exports to Europe without violating the European Union's upcoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukrainian Sends Special Forces to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has sent special forces to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an intense Moscow's assault comprising thousands of troops, according to Kyiv’s top military leader. The city, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a major supply route for the Kyiv's military and has been under Moscow’s crosshairs for more than a year as Moscow aims to control the whole eastern Donetsk area.

Latest Updates in Pokrovsk

No fewer than two hundred Russian troops had breached Pokrovsk’s defences, Kyiv said last week, while military experts concluded that others were advancing on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped movement. In his evening speech on Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in the city and “results in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defense Network

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for more air defense systems to counter Russia’s attacks, announced on Sunday that the country had strengthened its air defense capabilities with Berlin's assistance. “We've boosted the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” he declared, mentioning the sophisticated American air-defence systems. Without offering additional details, the Ukraine's president specifically thanked Berlin and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Innocents, Disrupt Electricity

Moscow's drones and rockets targeting Ukrainian territory killed at least 6 individuals, including two children, and cut power to thousands of households, authorities reported on this past Sunday. Moscow's military attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were male minors of ages 11 and fourteen, said the nation's ombudsman. Russia’s strikes disrupted power to the whole eastern Donetsk region as well as nearly 58,000 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. The Vostok military unit said a number of its members were killed in one of the enemy strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.