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Ex-President Trump indicated on Sunday that he was not seriously planning providing Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. In response to a query by a reporter on Air Force One, he responded, “No, not at the moment.” Recent reports had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense informed the White House that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to allow such a delivery.

Ukraine's Defense Efforts Continue Despite Missile Lack

Although Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to carry out long-range attacks against Russia, it has still succeeded to wage a successful campaign using its own drones and missiles against Russian military and strategic objectives, such as oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack targeted the Tuapse oil port on the coast, causing a blaze and damaging two vessels, according to Russian officials. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be shut down.

Turkish Refineries Turn to Alternative Crude Supplies

Turkey's largest oil refining facilities are boosting procurement of non-Russian crude in response to the latest international sanctions on Moscow, according to market insiders. Turkey is a major buyer of Russian crude, together with Beijing and India, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's lead in cutting back imports.

STAR Plant Expands Oil Sources

A major Turkey's refining plants, the STAR refinery, owned by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and additional alternative suppliers for December arrival, as per sources. This amount to roughly tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of alternative crude, varying by shipment volume. In contrast, Russian crude accounted for nearly the entirety of the STAR refinery's supply in October and September, amounting to about 210,000 barrels per day, according to trade information. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Increasing Alternative Buys

Another major Turkey's refiner – Tupras refinery – was additionally raising acquisitions of alternative grades of crude, as stated by two insiders. Tupras was also expected to soon completely phase out imports from Russia at one of its two major domestic plants to continue petroleum exports to Europe without breaching the EU’s incoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for a statement.

Ukrainian Sends Elite Units to Eastern City

Kyiv has sent elite troops to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an fierce Moscow's assault involving thousands of soldiers, according to Ukraine's senior military leader. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a major logistical line for the Ukrainian army and has been in Russia's sights for more than a year as Russia pushes to control the whole eastern Donetsk region.

Latest Updates in the City

No fewer than two hundred Russian troops had breached Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Kyiv said recently, while military experts concluded that additional forces were advancing on its perimeter in a encircling movement. In his evening speech on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the fighting in the city and “successes in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defense Network

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for more air defences to counter Moscow's attacks, stated on Sunday that the country had strengthened its air defense network with Berlin's support. “We have strengthened the Patriot element of our national air defense,” he declared, referring to the sophisticated American defense systems. Not offering additional details, the Ukraine's leader specifically thanked Germany and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Moscow's Strikes Kill Civilians, Cut Power

Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles fired at Ukrainian territory killed at least 6 people, among them 2 minors, and cut electricity to thousands of residents, officials said on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were male minors aged eleven and fourteen, said the nation's ombudsman. Russia’s attacks disrupted power to the entire eastern Donetsk region as well as nearly 58 thousand households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. Ukraine’s Eastern army group confirmed a number of its personnel were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on the region.