🔗 Share this article

Ex-President Donald Trump indicated this past Sunday that he is not seriously contemplating providing Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. In response to a query by a reporter aboard his plane, he answered, “No, not really.” Earlier 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 transfer.

Ukrainian Defense Efforts Persist Without Weapon Lack

While Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching strikes against Russia, it has still managed to wage a effective operation using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Moscow's military and key targets, such as oil depots and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike targeted the Tuapse oil port on the Black Sea, causing a fire and damaging two ships, according to Moscow officials. Nearby airfields in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Alternative Crude Supplies

Turkey's largest oil refining facilities are boosting purchases of alternative crude in reaction to the latest western restrictions on Russia, as reported by industry insiders. The country is a significant purchaser of oil from Russia, together with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are following India's example in reducing supplies.

STAR Refinery Expands Oil Sources

A major Turkish refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and additional alternative producers for December delivery, as per sources. This amount to approximately tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian supply, varying by shipment volume. In contrast, oil from Russia made up virtually the entirety of the STAR refinery's supply in recent months, amounting to approximately 210 thousand barrels per day, based on market information. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Boosting Alternative Purchases

Another leading Turkey's oil processor – Tupras – was additionally increasing purchases of non-Russian types of crude, according to two sources. The company was also expected to in the near future completely eliminate imports from Russia at one of its two major Turkish refineries to continue fuel exports to Europe without violating the EU’s upcoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a inquiry for comment.

Ukrainian Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has sent elite troops to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an fierce Moscow's offensive comprising a large number of troops, as stated by Ukraine's senior commander. Pokrovsk, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a key logistical line for the Kyiv's military and has been in Moscow’s sights for over a twelve months as Russia pushes to seize the whole eastern Donetsk area.

Latest Developments in Pokrovsk

No fewer than two hundred Russian soldiers had penetrated the city's defences, Kyiv reported last week, while analysts concluded that others were closing in on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his evening address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the fighting in the city and “successes in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defence Network

The president, who has been pushing his partners for more air defense systems to counter Moscow's strikes, stated on Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence network with Berlin's assistance. “We've boosted the Patriot component of our national air defence,” he declared, referring to the sophisticated U.S.-made air-defence systems. Not offering further information, the Ukraine's president specifically thanked Berlin and its leader, the German chancellor, for thanks.

Russian Attacks Claim Innocents, Cut Power

Moscow's drones and missiles fired at Ukraine killed at least six individuals, including two minors, and disrupted electricity to thousands of households, officials reported on this past Sunday. Moscow's military attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The children were two boys aged 11 and fourteen, stated Ukraine’s ombudsman. The attacks disrupted electricity to the whole eastern Donetsk area as well as nearly 58 thousand households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. The Vostok army group said a number of its members were killed in a particular of the Russian strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.