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FormerPresident Trump indicated on Sunday that he was not actively contemplating providing Ukraine with advanced Tomahawk missiles. In response to a query by a journalist aboard Air Force One, he answered, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier accounts had suggested the Pentagon informed the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to enable this delivery.

Ukraine's Military Efforts Continue Despite Weapon Lack

Although Ukraine has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to carry out long-range attacks against Russian targets, it has nonetheless managed to wage a effective campaign using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Russian armed and key objectives, including oil depots and refineries. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike struck the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a blaze and harming two vessels, as stated by Russian authorities. Nearby Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkish Oil Plants Turn to Non-Russian Crude Supplies

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are increasing procurement of non-Russian crude in response to the recent international restrictions on Moscow, as reported by industry sources. Turkey is a major purchaser of oil from Russia, along with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are following New Delhi's example in cutting back imports.

STAR Refinery Diversifies Crude Sources

A major Turkey's refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azeri company SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and additional alternative suppliers for December delivery, as per insiders. This represent roughly tens of thousands of barrels daily of non-Russian supply, depending on shipment volume. By comparison, oil from Russia made up nearly all of the plant's crude intake in October and September, totaling about 210,000 barrels per day, according to trade data. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Also Boosting Non-Russian Purchases

The other leading Turkish oil processor – Tupras – was also raising acquisitions of alternative types of crude, as stated by multiple sources. Tupras was also likely to in the near future completely phase out imports from Russia at one of its two major domestic plants to continue petroleum shipments to the EU without violating the European Union's upcoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Sends Special Forces to Eastern City

Kyiv has deployed elite troops to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an fierce Moscow's offensive comprising a large number of troops, as stated by Ukraine's top commander. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply line for the Ukrainian army and has been in Russia's crosshairs for more than a twelve months as Russia aims to control the whole eastern Donetsk area.

Recent Developments in the City

No fewer than 200 Russian soldiers had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Kyiv said last week, while military experts assessed that others were closing in on its outskirts in a encircling maneuver. In his nightly address on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the combat in the city and “successes in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Announces Strengthened Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for additional air defences to hold off Moscow's strikes, announced on Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air defense capabilities with Germany’s support. “We've strengthened the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defence,” he said, mentioning the advanced American air-defence systems. Not offering additional details, the Ukrainian president specifically thanked Berlin and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Russian Attacks Kill Civilians, Cut Power

Moscow's drones and missiles targeting Ukraine took the lives of no fewer than six people, including two children, and cut power to tens of thousands of households, authorities reported on this past Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The victims were male minors aged 11 and 14, stated the nation's ombudsman. Russia’s attacks cut power to the whole east Donetsk area as well as almost 58,000 households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Eastern army group said a number of its members were killed in a particular of the Russian strikes on the region.