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FormerPresident Trump stated on Sunday that he was not actively contemplating sending Ukraine with advanced Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a reporter aboard his plane, he answered, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier accounts had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to enable such a transfer.

Ukraine's Defense Actions Persist Without Weapon Lack

Although Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range strikes against Russian targets, it has nonetheless managed to conduct a successful operation using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Russian armed and strategic objectives, including oil depots and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack targeted the Tuapse oil port on the coast, causing a blaze and harming two vessels, according to Russian authorities. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Shift to Non-Russian Oil Sources

Ankara's largest oil refining facilities are boosting purchases of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest western restrictions on Russia, according to industry sources. Turkey is a significant purchaser of oil from Russia, along with Beijing and India, but refiners are following New Delhi's lead in cutting back imports.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Expands Crude Procurement

A major Turkey's refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), owned by Azeri company SOCAR, has recently purchased multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and additional alternative producers for December delivery, according to sources. These purchases represent approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian crude, depending on shipment volume. In contrast, Russian crude made up virtually the entirety of the plant's supply in October and September, amounting to approximately 210,000 bpd, according to trade information. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.

Tupras Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Buys

The other major Turkish refiner – Tupras refinery – was additionally increasing purchases of non-Russian grades of crude, according to multiple insiders. Tupras was also likely to soon completely eliminate imports from Russia at one of its two main domestic plants to continue petroleum exports to Europe without breaching the EU’s upcoming restrictions. The refiner declined to comment to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Kyiv has deployed elite troops to the embattled east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an intense Moscow's offensive involving a large number of troops, as stated by Kyiv’s top commander. The city, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a key logistical route for the Kyiv's military and has been in Moscow’s sights for more than a twelve months as Russia aims to control the entire eastern Donetsk area.

Latest Developments in the City

No fewer than 200 Russian soldiers had breached Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Kyiv said last week, while military experts assessed that additional forces were advancing on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his nightly speech on Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the fighting in Pokrovsk and “successes in the elimination of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Strengthened Air Defense System

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his partners for additional air defense systems to hold off Moscow's strikes, stated on Sunday that the country had strengthened its air defense network with Germany’s assistance. “We've boosted the Patriot element of our national air defense,” he said, mentioning the advanced American defense systems. Not providing further information, the Ukrainian president specifically thanked Berlin and its leader, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Russian Strikes Kill Civilians, Cut Power

Moscow's unmanned aircraft and missiles fired at Ukraine killed at least 6 people, including two children, and cut electricity to thousands of households, authorities said on Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, said the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The children were male minors of ages eleven and 14, said Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. The attacks cut electricity to the entire eastern Donetsk region as well as almost 58 thousand households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors said. The Vostok army group said some of its personnel were killed in a particular of the Russian attacks on the region.