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Ex-President Donald Trump indicated on Sunday that he is not seriously considering providing Ukraine with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a journalist aboard Air Force One, he replied, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier reports had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense told the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to enable this transfer.

Ukraine's Defense Actions Continue Despite Missile Lack

While Ukrainian forces has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless managed to wage a successful campaign using its domestically-produced drones and rockets against Russian armed and strategic targets, such as oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike struck the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a fire and damaging two ships, according to Moscow authorities. Nearby Russian airports in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Oil Plants Shift to Non-Russian Crude Supplies

Turkey's biggest oil refining facilities are increasing purchases of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest international restrictions on Russia, according to market sources. Turkey is a major buyer of oil from Russia, together with China and India, but processing companies are mirroring India's example in reducing imports.

SOCAR Turkey Plant Diversifies Oil Procurement

A major Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azeri company SOCAR, has lately purchased four shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional alternative suppliers for year-end delivery, as per sources. These purchases represent approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian supply, varying by shipment volume. In contrast, oil from Russia accounted for virtually all of the STAR refinery's crude intake in October and September, amounting to approximately 210 thousand barrels per day, based on trade data. SOCAR refused to comment.

Another Major Refiner Also Increasing Non-Russian Purchases

Another leading Turkey's refiner – Tupras refinery – was also raising purchases of alternative grades of crude, according to multiple sources. The company was also likely to soon completely phase out imports from Russia at a key facility of its two main Turkish refineries to maintain fuel shipments to Europe without breaching the EU’s incoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for a statement.

Ukrainian Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has sent special forces to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an fierce Russian assault involving a large number of troops, according to Kyiv’s top military leader. Pokrovsk, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a key logistical line for the Kyiv's army and has been in Moscow’s crosshairs for over a twelve months as Russia pushes to control the entire east Donetsk area.

Recent Updates in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Moscow's troops had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Kyiv reported last week, while military experts assessed that others were advancing on its perimeter in a encircling maneuver. In his evening speech on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Announces Strengthened Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for additional air defences to counter Moscow's attacks, stated on Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air-defence network with Berlin's support. “We've strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot component of our national air defense,” Zelenskyy said, mentioning the advanced U.S.-made defense systems. Not providing additional information, the Ukrainian leader singled out Germany and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Russian Strikes Kill Innocents, Cut Power

Moscow's drones and missiles targeting Ukraine took the lives of no fewer than six people, including 2 children, and disrupted electricity to thousands of residents, authorities reported on Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys of ages eleven and 14, stated Ukraine’s ombudsman. Russia’s attacks disrupted electricity to the entire eastern Donetsk area as well as nearly 58,000 households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. The Vostok military unit said some of its members were killed in one of the Russian attacks on the region.