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FormerPresident Trump stated this past Sunday that he is not actively considering supplying Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a reporter on Air Force One, he answered, “No, not at the moment.” Recent reports had suggested the Pentagon told the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to enable such a transfer.

Ukraine's Military Efforts Persist Despite Weapon Shortage

Although Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to execute far-reaching strikes against Russian targets, it has still succeeded to wage a effective campaign using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Russian military and strategic objectives, including fuel storage facilities and refineries. On Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike struck the Tuapse oil port on the Black Sea, causing a blaze and harming two ships, as stated by Moscow authorities. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be shut down.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Alternative Crude Supplies

Ankara's biggest oil refineries are boosting purchases of alternative crude in response to the recent international restrictions on Russia, as reported by industry sources. The country is a significant purchaser of oil from Russia, together with China and India, but refiners are following India's lead in cutting back imports.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Diversifies Oil Procurement

A major Turkey's refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has recently acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and additional non-Russian producers for year-end delivery, as per insiders. This represent roughly tens of thousands of barrels daily of non-Russian supply, varying by cargo size. By comparison, oil from Russia made up nearly all of the STAR refinery's supply in October and September, totaling about 210 thousand bpd, according to market information. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Non-Russian Buys

The other leading Turkey's refiner – Tupras – was also increasing purchases of alternative types of crude, as stated by multiple insiders. The company was also likely to in the near future entirely phase out imports from Russia at one of its two major Turkish refineries to maintain fuel exports to the EU without breaching the EU’s upcoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Sends Special Forces to Eastern City

Ukraine has sent special forces to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an intense Russian offensive involving a large number of troops, according to Kyiv’s senior commander. Pokrovsk, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a key supply line for the Kyiv's army and has been under Moscow’s crosshairs for more than a year as Moscow pushes to control the whole east Donetsk region.

Latest Updates in the City

At least two hundred Moscow's troops had breached Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Ukrainian officials said last week, while analysts assessed that additional forces were advancing on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his evening address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the fighting in Pokrovsk and “results in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Announces Strengthened Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his allies for additional air defense systems to counter Moscow's strikes, announced on this past Sunday that the country had reinforced its air defense capabilities with Germany’s assistance. “We have boosted the U.S.-made Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” Zelenskyy said, mentioning the sophisticated American air-defence systems. Not providing further information, the Ukraine's president specifically thanked Berlin and its leader, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Russian Strikes Claim Civilians, Disrupt Electricity

Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles fired at Ukraine killed at least six people, including two children, and disrupted power to thousands of residents, officials said on this past Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The children were two boys aged 11 and fourteen, said the nation's ombudsman. Russia’s attacks disrupted power to the entire east Donetsk area as well as nearly 58 thousand homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. Ukraine’s Vostok military unit confirmed some of its personnel were killed in one of the enemy attacks on the region.