🔗 Share this article

FormerPresident Trump indicated this past Sunday that he was not really contemplating sending Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a reporter on Air Force One, he replied, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier accounts had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense told the White House that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to allow this delivery.

Ukraine's Defense Actions Persist Despite Weapon Shortage

Although Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching attacks against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to conduct a successful operation using its domestically-produced drones and missiles against Moscow's military and key objectives, such as fuel storage facilities and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack struck the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a fire and harming two ships, according to Moscow authorities. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkish Refineries Turn to Alternative Crude Supplies

Ankara's largest oil refineries are increasing purchases of non-Russian crude in reaction to the recent western restrictions on Moscow, according to industry insiders. The country is a significant buyer of oil from Russia, together with Beijing and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's lead in cutting back supplies.

STAR Refinery Expands Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkish refining plants, the STAR refinery, owned by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and additional non-Russian suppliers for December delivery, as per sources. These purchases represent approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of alternative crude, varying by shipment volume. By comparison, Russian crude made up nearly all of the plant's crude intake in recent months, amounting to about 210 thousand barrels per day, based on trade information. SOCAR declined to comment.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Non-Russian Purchases

The other leading Turkey's oil processor – Tupras refinery – was also raising purchases of non-Russian types of crude, according to two insiders. Tupras was also expected to soon entirely eliminate imports from Russia at one of its primary main Turkish refineries to maintain petroleum exports to Europe without violating the EU’s upcoming sanctions. The refiner declined to comment to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Deploys Special Forces to Eastern City

Ukraine has deployed special forces to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an intense Moscow's assault involving thousands of troops, as stated by Ukraine's senior commander. The city, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a major supply route for the Kyiv's military and has been in Russia's sights for more than a twelve months as Moscow aims to control the whole eastern Donetsk area.

Latest Updates in Pokrovsk

At least 200 Moscow's soldiers had breached the city's defences, Kyiv reported recently, while military experts concluded that additional forces were advancing on its perimeter in a encircling movement. In his nightly address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for more air defense systems to hold off Russia’s strikes, stated on Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air-defence capabilities with Germany’s assistance. “We've boosted the U.S.-made Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defence,” Zelenskyy said, referring to the advanced U.S.-made air-defence systems. Without providing further information, the Ukraine's president singled out Germany and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Russian Attacks Claim Innocents, Cut Electricity

Russian unmanned aircraft and rockets targeting Ukraine took the lives of no fewer than six people, including 2 children, and cut electricity to thousands of households, officials reported on this past Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the office of the country's prosecutor general. The children were two boys of ages 11 and 14, said the nation's human rights commissioner. The strikes disrupted power to the whole east Donetsk area as well as almost 58 thousand households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. Ukraine’s Vostok military unit said a number of its personnel were killed in one of the enemy attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.