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Ex-President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he was not seriously contemplating sending Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. In response to a query by a journalist on his plane, he replied, “No, not currently.” Earlier reports had indicated the Pentagon told the administration that American inventories of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow such a transfer.

Ukraine's Military Actions Persist Without Missile Shortage

Although Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to conduct a effective campaign using its domestically-produced drones and rockets against Moscow's military and strategic objectives, such as oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack struck the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a fire and damaging two vessels, as stated by Russian authorities. Adjacent Russian airports in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Oil Plants Turn to Non-Russian Crude Supplies

Turkey's largest oil refining facilities are increasing purchases of alternative crude in response to the latest western sanctions on Moscow, as reported by industry sources. Turkey is a major purchaser of Russian crude, along with Beijing and India, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's lead in cutting back imports.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Expands Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has recently purchased four shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and other alternative producers for year-end delivery, as per insiders. This represent roughly tens of thousands of barrels daily of alternative supply, depending on cargo size. By comparison, oil from Russia accounted for nearly the entirety of the plant's supply in recent months, amounting to about 210 thousand barrels per day, based on market information. SOCAR declined to comment.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Increasing Alternative Buys

Another leading Turkey's oil processor – Tupras refinery – was additionally increasing purchases of alternative types of crude, according to multiple sources. The company was furthermore likely to soon entirely phase out imports from Russia at a key facility of its two major Turkish refineries to maintain petroleum exports to the EU without violating the EU’s upcoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a request for a statement.

Ukraine Sends Special Forces to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has deployed special forces to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an intense Russian offensive comprising a large number of soldiers, according to Kyiv’s senior commander. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a key supply route for the Kyiv's military and has been in Russia's crosshairs for over a year as Russia aims to seize the entire eastern Donetsk region.

Recent Developments in the City

No fewer than 200 Moscow's soldiers had breached the city's defensive lines, Ukrainian officials reported last week, while analysts concluded that additional forces were closing in on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his nightly speech on this past Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the fighting in Pokrovsk and “successes in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defence Network

The president, who has been pushing his allies for more air defense systems to hold off Moscow's attacks, stated on Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air defense network with Germany’s assistance. “We've boosted the U.S.-made Patriot element of our national air defence,” he said, mentioning the sophisticated U.S.-made air-defence systems. Without offering further details, the Ukraine's president singled out Germany and its leader, the German chancellor, for gratitude.

Russian Attacks Kill Innocents, Disrupt Electricity

Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles targeting Ukrainian territory killed no fewer than 6 individuals, including two children, and disrupted power to thousands of residents, authorities reported on Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the office of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were male minors of ages 11 and 14, said Ukraine’s ombudsman. The attacks disrupted electricity to the entire eastern Donetsk area as well as nearly 58,000 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. The Eastern military unit said some of its members were killed in one of the enemy strikes on the region.