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FormerPresident Trump remarked on Sunday that he is not seriously considering sending Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. In response to a query by a reporter on his plane, he replied, “No, not at the moment.” Recent reports had suggested the Pentagon told the White House that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to enable such a transfer.

Ukraine's Defense Efforts Persist Without Missile Lack

Although Ukraine has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to carry out far-reaching attacks against Russia, it has nonetheless managed to conduct a effective campaign using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Russian armed and key objectives, such as fuel storage facilities and refineries. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike hit the port facility on the Black Sea, causing a fire and harming two ships, as stated by Russian officials. Adjacent Russian airports in the region also had to be shut down.

Turkey Oil Plants Shift to Non-Russian Oil Supplies

Ankara's biggest oil refineries are boosting procurement of non-Russian crude in response to the latest international sanctions on Russia, according to industry insiders. The country is a significant buyer of oil from Russia, together with Beijing and New Delhi, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's lead in reducing supplies.

STAR Refinery Diversifies Oil Procurement

A major Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, operated by Azeri company SOCAR, has lately purchased multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and additional alternative producers for year-end delivery, according to sources. This amount to roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian supply, varying by cargo size. By comparison, Russian crude made up nearly the entirety of the STAR refinery's supply in recent months, totaling about 210,000 bpd, based on market information. SOCAR refused to comment.

Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Alternative Purchases

Another leading Turkish oil processor – Tupras – was additionally raising purchases of alternative types of crude, as stated by multiple insiders. The company was also expected to soon entirely eliminate Russian crude at one of its primary major domestic refineries to continue petroleum shipments to Europe without violating the European Union's incoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a request 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 intense Russian offensive involving a large number of soldiers, according to Ukraine's top commander. Pokrovsk, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a major supply route for the Kyiv's army and has been in Russia's crosshairs for over a year as Russia pushes to seize the whole east Donetsk region.

Recent Developments in the City

At least 200 Moscow's troops had penetrated the city's defences, Kyiv reported last week, while military experts assessed that additional forces were closing in on its outskirts in a pincer-shaped maneuver. In his nightly speech on Sunday, the Ukrainian president mentioned the fighting in the city and “results in the elimination of the occupiers.”

Zelenskyy Reveals Enhanced Air Defense System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for more air defense systems to hold off Russia’s attacks, stated on this past Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air defense network with Berlin's assistance. “We have boosted the U.S.-made Patriot component of our national air defense,” Zelenskyy said, referring to the sophisticated American defense systems. Without offering additional details, the Ukraine's leader singled out Berlin and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Russian Strikes Claim Innocents, Cut Power

Moscow's drones and rockets fired at Ukraine took the lives of no fewer than 6 individuals, including 2 minors, and cut electricity to thousands of residents, officials said on this past Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the representatives of Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The children were two boys of ages eleven and fourteen, said the nation's ombudsman. Russia’s attacks cut electricity to the whole east Donetsk region as well as almost 58,000 households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Eastern military unit said some of its personnel were killed in a particular of the Russian strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.