🔗 Share this article

FormerPresident Trump stated this past Sunday that he was not actively contemplating providing Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a reporter aboard Air Force One, he responded, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier reports had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense told the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to enable such a delivery.

Ukrainian Military Efforts Persist Despite Missile Lack

Although Ukrainian forces has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to execute far-reaching attacks against Russia, it has nonetheless managed to wage a effective campaign using its own drones and missiles against Moscow's military and strategic objectives, such as fuel storage facilities and refineries. On Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike struck the Tuapse oil port on the coast, causing a fire and damaging two ships, as stated by Moscow officials. Adjacent airfields in the region also had to be shut down.

Turkish Oil Plants Shift to Non-Russian Oil Sources

Ankara's largest oil refineries are boosting procurement of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest international restrictions on Russia, as reported by market insiders. Turkey is a major buyer of oil from Russia, along with China and New Delhi, but refiners are mirroring New Delhi's lead in reducing supplies.

STAR Refinery Expands Oil Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azeri firm SOCAR, has recently purchased multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and other non-Russian suppliers for December arrival, according to insiders. This represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative crude, varying by shipment volume. By comparison, Russian crude 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.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Alternative Buys

Another major Turkish oil processor – Tupras refinery – was additionally raising purchases of non-Russian types of crude, according to two sources. The company was furthermore likely to soon completely eliminate Russian crude at one of its primary major domestic refineries to continue petroleum exports to the EU without violating the EU’s incoming sanctions. Tupras declined to comment to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Sends Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has deployed special forces to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an fierce Moscow's offensive involving a large number of soldiers, according to Ukraine's senior military leader. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a major supply line for the Kyiv's military and has been under Russia's sights for over a year as Moscow aims to seize the whole east Donetsk region.

Recent Updates in Pokrovsk

No fewer than 200 Moscow's troops had breached the city's defences, Kyiv said recently, while analysts assessed that others were closing in on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped movement. In his evening address on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Announces Enhanced Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his partners for additional air defences to counter Russia’s strikes, announced on this past Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air defense capabilities with Germany’s assistance. “We have boosted the Patriot component of our national air defense,” Zelenskyy said, mentioning the advanced U.S.-made air-defence systems. Without offering additional information, the Ukrainian president singled out Berlin and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for gratitude.

Russian Strikes Claim Innocents, Cut Electricity

Moscow's unmanned aircraft and missiles fired at Ukraine took the lives of at least six people, including 2 minors, and cut power to thousands of households, authorities said on Sunday. Moscow's military attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The children were two boys of ages 11 and 14, stated the nation's ombudsman. Russia’s strikes cut electricity to the whole eastern Donetsk region as well as nearly 58 thousand homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. Ukraine’s Vostok army group confirmed a number of its personnel were killed in one of the Russian attacks on the region.