Trump Affirms He Is Not Planning Providing Tomahawk Missiles to Kyiv.
FormerPresident Trump stated on Sunday that he was not actively planning providing Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk missiles. In response to a query by a reporter on Air Force One, he replied, “No, not currently.” Earlier reports had indicated the U.S. Department of Defense informed the administration that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were ample to enable such a delivery.
Ukrainian Defense Actions Continue Without Missile Lack
While Ukrainian forces has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to execute long-range strikes against Russia, it has still managed to conduct a effective campaign using its own drones and rockets against Moscow's armed and key objectives, including fuel storage facilities and refineries. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian drone attack struck the port facility on the Black Sea, igniting a fire and harming two vessels, as stated by Moscow authorities. Adjacent airfields in the area also had to be closed.
Turkey Refineries Shift to Alternative Oil Sources
Ankara's largest oil refineries are increasing procurement of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest western restrictions on Russia, as reported by market sources. The country is a significant purchaser of Russian crude, together with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring India's example in cutting back supplies.
SOCAR Turkey Plant Diversifies Oil Sources
A major Turkish refining plants, the STAR refinery, operated by Azeri company SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other non-Russian producers for December arrival, according to sources. This represent approximately tens of thousands of barrels per day (bpd) of alternative supply, varying by shipment volume. By comparison, oil from Russia made up virtually the entirety of the STAR refinery's supply in October and September, totaling about 210,000 bpd, based on trade data. SOCAR refused to comment.
Tupras Also Increasing Non-Russian Purchases
Another major Turkey's oil processor – Tupras refinery – was also increasing purchases of alternative grades of crude, as stated by multiple insiders. The company was furthermore expected to in the near future entirely phase out Russian crude at one of its two main Turkish refineries to continue petroleum exports to the EU without violating the European Union's incoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a request for a statement.
Ukraine Sends Elite Units to Eastern City
Ukraine has sent special forces to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an fierce Russian assault involving thousands of troops, as stated by Ukraine's senior commander. Pokrovsk, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” lies on a key supply route for the Ukrainian military and has been in Russia's crosshairs for over a twelve months as Russia pushes to seize the entire eastern Donetsk region.
Recent Updates in the City
No fewer than two hundred Russian soldiers had breached the city's defensive lines, Kyiv said last week, while analysts assessed that additional forces were advancing on its perimeter in a encircling movement. In his nightly speech on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the combat in Pokrovsk and “results in the destruction of the occupiers.”
Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defence Network
The president, who has been urging his allies for more air defense systems to hold off Russia’s strikes, stated on this past Sunday that Ukraine had strengthened its air defense capabilities with Berlin's assistance. “We've boosted the Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defence,” Zelenskyy said, referring to the advanced U.S.-made defense systems. Not providing additional information, the Ukraine's president singled out Germany and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.
Russian Attacks Kill Civilians, Disrupt Power
Moscow's drones and rockets fired at Ukraine took the lives of at least 6 individuals, among them 2 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 office of the country's chief prosecutor. The children were male minors aged 11 and 14, said the nation's human rights commissioner. Russia’s attacks cut power to the entire eastern Donetsk region as well as almost 58 thousand homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors announced. The Eastern army group said some of its personnel were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on the region.