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Ex-President Trump remarked this past Sunday that he was not actively contemplating providing Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a journalist on his plane, he answered, “No, not currently.” Earlier accounts had claimed the Pentagon informed the White House that American inventories of Tomahawks were ample to allow this delivery.

Ukraine's Defense Actions Continue Without Weapon Lack

Although Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to carry out far-reaching strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to wage a effective campaign using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Moscow's armed and key targets, such as fuel storage facilities and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack targeted the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a blaze and damaging two ships, as stated by Moscow authorities. Nearby airfields in the area also had to be shut down.

Turkish Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Crude Supplies

Turkey's largest oil refining facilities are boosting procurement of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest international restrictions on Moscow, as reported by industry insiders. The country is a significant purchaser of oil from Russia, along with China and India, but processing companies are following India's example in reducing supplies.

STAR Plant Diversifies Crude Procurement

One of the largest Turkish refining plants, the STAR refinery, owned by Azeri firm SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple cargoes of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and additional alternative producers for year-end delivery, as per insiders. These purchases amount to approximately tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian supply, depending on cargo size. In contrast, oil from Russia accounted for nearly the entirety of the plant's supply in recent months, totaling about 210 thousand bpd, according to trade data. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Another Major Refiner Also Boosting Non-Russian Buys

Another leading Turkey's refiner – Tupras – was also increasing purchases of alternative grades of crude, according to multiple insiders. The company was also expected to soon entirely eliminate imports from Russia at a key facility of its primary main Turkish refineries to continue fuel exports to the EU without breaching the European Union's upcoming sanctions. The refiner did not respond to a inquiry for a statement.

Ukraine Sends Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has sent elite troops to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an fierce Moscow's assault comprising thousands of troops, according to Ukraine's top military leader. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a major supply route for the Ukrainian military and has been under Russia's sights for more than a year as Moscow aims to control the whole east Donetsk area.

Latest Developments in the City

At least two hundred Moscow's troops had breached Pokrovsk’s defensive lines, Ukrainian officials reported last week, while analysts concluded that additional forces were advancing on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his nightly speech on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the destruction of the invading forces.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Strengthened Air Defense System

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his allies for additional air defense systems to counter Moscow's attacks, announced on Sunday that the country had reinforced its air defense capabilities with Germany’s support. “We've strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defense,” he said, referring to the advanced U.S.-made air-defence systems. Without offering additional information, the Ukrainian president singled out Berlin and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for gratitude.

Russian Attacks Kill Innocents, Disrupt Electricity

Russian drones and rockets fired at Ukraine killed no fewer than six people, including 2 minors, and disrupted power to tens of thousands of residents, authorities said on Sunday. Moscow's military attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the representatives of the country's prosecutor general. The victims were two boys of ages 11 and 14, said Ukraine’s human rights commissioner. Russia’s strikes disrupted electricity to the entire east Donetsk area as well as almost 58 thousand households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. The Eastern army group confirmed some of its personnel were killed in a particular of the Russian attacks on the region.