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FormerPresident Trump stated this past Sunday that he was not seriously contemplating sending Ukraine with advanced Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a journalist on his plane, he replied, “No, not really.” Earlier reports had claimed the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that American inventories of Tomahawks were ample to enable such a transfer.

Ukrainian Military Efforts Continue Despite Weapon Lack

While Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to conduct long-range strikes against Russia, it has still succeeded to conduct a successful operation using its domestically-produced drones and rockets against Moscow's military and key targets, such as oil depots and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike hit the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a blaze and damaging two ships, according to Russian authorities. Nearby Russian airports in the region also had to be shut down.

Turkey Oil Plants Shift to Non-Russian Oil Sources

Ankara's biggest oil refineries are increasing purchases of alternative crude in reaction to the recent international restrictions on Moscow, according to market insiders. Turkey is a major buyer of Russian crude, along with China and India, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's example in cutting back imports.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Expands Oil Procurement

One of the largest Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has lately purchased four shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other alternative producers for year-end arrival, as per sources. These purchases amount to approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative supply, varying by cargo size. By comparison, oil from Russia made up virtually all of the STAR refinery's supply in October and September, totaling approximately 210,000 bpd, according to market data. SOCAR declined to comment.

Another Major Refiner Also Increasing Non-Russian Purchases

Another leading Turkish refiner – Tupras – was additionally increasing purchases of non-Russian types of crude, according to multiple sources. Tupras was also likely to in the near future entirely eliminate Russian crude at a key facility of its two main domestic refineries to continue fuel shipments to the EU without violating the EU’s upcoming sanctions. Tupras declined to comment to a request for a statement.

Ukrainian Sends Elite Units to Eastern City

Ukraine has sent elite troops to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an fierce Moscow's offensive comprising a large number of troops, according to Ukraine's top commander. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a key logistical route for the Kyiv's army and has been under Russia's crosshairs for more than a year as Russia aims to seize the whole east Donetsk region.

Latest Updates in the City

At least 200 Moscow's troops had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Kyiv reported recently, while analysts concluded that additional forces were advancing on its perimeter in a encircling movement. In his evening address on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the combat in the city and “successes in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Zelenskyy Reveals Enhanced Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his partners for more air defences to counter Moscow's strikes, stated on Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air defense network with Germany’s support. “We've strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot element of our national air defence,” he said, referring to the sophisticated U.S.-made defense systems. Not offering additional information, the Ukrainian leader singled out Germany and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for gratitude.

Russian Attacks Claim Civilians, Cut Power

Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles targeting Ukrainian territory killed no fewer than six people, among them two children, and cut electricity to thousands of residents, officials reported on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were male minors of ages 11 and fourteen, stated the nation's human rights commissioner. Russia’s attacks cut power to the entire eastern Donetsk area as well as nearly 58,000 households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. Ukraine’s Eastern military unit said a number of its members were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.