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Ex-President Trump indicated this past Sunday that he is not actively planning sending Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk missiles. After being asked by a journalist aboard his plane, he answered, “No, not currently.” Recent reports had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense informed the White House that U.S. inventories of Tomahawks were sufficient to enable such a transfer.

Ukraine's Military Actions Persist Without Missile Shortage

Although Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to conduct long-range strikes against Russian targets, it has still succeeded to wage a successful operation using its domestically-produced drones and rockets against Russian military and strategic targets, including oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike struck the Tuapse oil port on the Black Sea, igniting a blaze and damaging two ships, as stated by Moscow authorities. Adjacent airfields in the region also had to be shut down.

Turkey Oil Plants Shift to Alternative Crude Sources

Turkey's largest oil refining facilities are increasing purchases of non-Russian crude in response to the recent international restrictions on Russia, as reported by market insiders. The country is a significant buyer of Russian crude, along with Beijing and New Delhi, but processing companies are following India's example in cutting back supplies.

STAR Refinery Expands Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkey's refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azeri firm SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and additional non-Russian suppliers for December arrival, according to insiders. These purchases represent roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian crude, depending on cargo size. By comparison, Russian crude accounted for nearly all of the STAR refinery's crude intake in October and September, amounting to approximately 210 thousand bpd, according to trade information. SOCAR refused to comment.

Another Major Refiner Also Increasing Non-Russian Purchases

The other major Turkey's oil processor – Tupras refinery – was also raising acquisitions of alternative types of crude, as stated by two insiders. Tupras was also expected to soon entirely phase out imports from Russia at one of its two major domestic refineries to maintain fuel shipments to Europe without violating the European Union's upcoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for a statement.

Ukraine Deploys Special Forces to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has deployed elite troops to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an fierce Moscow's assault involving thousands of troops, according to Ukraine's top commander. The city, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply route for the Ukrainian military and has been under Moscow’s sights for over a year as Moscow aims to control the whole east Donetsk area.

Latest Updates in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Moscow's troops had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Kyiv said recently, while analysts concluded that others were advancing on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his nightly speech on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the combat in the city and “results in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Announces Strengthened Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for additional air defense systems to counter Russia’s strikes, announced on Sunday that the country had reinforced its air-defence network with Germany’s assistance. “We've boosted the Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defense,” he declared, mentioning the advanced American air-defence systems. Without offering further information, the Ukraine's president singled out Germany and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Moscow's Attacks Kill Civilians, Disrupt Electricity

Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles fired at Ukraine took the lives of at least six people, among them 2 minors, and cut power to thousands of residents, officials reported on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the office of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The children were male minors of ages 11 and fourteen, stated Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. Russia’s strikes disrupted electricity to the entire eastern Donetsk region as well as almost 58 thousand households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors said. Ukraine’s Vostok military unit confirmed some of its members were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on the region.