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FormerPresident Donald Trump stated this past Sunday that he was not really contemplating supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a reporter aboard his plane, he responded, “No, not really.” Earlier accounts had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense told the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to allow this transfer.

Ukraine's Defense Actions Persist Despite Missile Lack

Although Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to conduct long-range attacks against Russia, it has still succeeded to conduct a successful campaign using its own drones and rockets against Moscow's military and strategic targets, such as oil depots and processing plants. On Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack targeted the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a fire and damaging two vessels, according to Moscow officials. Nearby Russian airports in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Oil Plants Shift to Non-Russian Crude Sources

Ankara's biggest oil refineries are increasing procurement of alternative crude in response to the latest international restrictions on Moscow, as reported by market insiders. Turkey is a major purchaser of Russian crude, along with China and India, but processing companies are following India's example in cutting back imports.

STAR Plant Diversifies Oil Procurement

One of the largest Turkish refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), owned by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and other alternative producers for year-end delivery, according to insiders. These purchases amount to approximately tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of alternative supply, varying by cargo size. By comparison, oil from Russia accounted for virtually the entirety of the plant's supply in recent months, amounting to approximately 210 thousand barrels per day, based on trade information. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Purchases

The other major Turkey's oil processor – Tupras refinery – was additionally raising purchases of non-Russian grades of crude, as stated by multiple insiders. Tupras was furthermore expected to soon entirely eliminate Russian crude at one of its primary main domestic plants to maintain fuel shipments to Europe without breaching the EU’s incoming sanctions. The refiner did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukrainian Sends Elite Units to Eastern City

Ukraine has deployed special forces to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an intense Moscow's assault involving a large number of troops, according to Ukraine's top commander. The city, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a key supply route for the Ukrainian military and has been in Russia's sights for more than a year as Russia aims to control the entire eastern Donetsk area.

Latest Developments in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Russian troops had penetrated the city's defences, Kyiv said recently, while analysts concluded that others were closing in on its perimeter in a encircling maneuver. In his nightly address on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the fighting in Pokrovsk and “successes in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Announces Strengthened Air Defense Network

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for additional air defences to hold off Moscow's strikes, stated on Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air defense network with Germany’s assistance. “We have boosted the U.S.-made Patriot component of our national air defense,” Zelenskyy declared, mentioning the sophisticated U.S.-made air-defence systems. Without providing further information, the Ukrainian leader singled out Germany and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Russian Attacks Kill Innocents, Disrupt Power

Russian drones and missiles targeting Ukrainian territory took the lives of at least 6 individuals, including 2 children, and cut power to tens of thousands of households, authorities said on this past Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the representatives of the country's chief prosecutor. The victims were male minors aged eleven and fourteen, stated the nation's human rights commissioner. Russia’s attacks cut electricity to the entire eastern Donetsk region as well as almost 58,000 homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. The Vostok army group said a number of its personnel were killed in a particular of the Russian strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.