Ex-President Donald Trump remarked on Sunday that he was not really planning supplying Ukraine with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. In response to a query by a journalist on Air Force One, he answered, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier reports had suggested the U.S. Department of Defense informed the White House that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow such a delivery.
Ukraine's Defense Efforts Continue Without Weapon Lack
Although Ukrainian forces has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to execute far-reaching attacks against Russian targets, it has nonetheless succeeded to conduct a successful campaign using its own drones and rockets against Russian armed and key targets, including fuel storage facilities and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike struck the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a blaze and harming two ships, according to Moscow officials. Adjacent airfields in the area also had to be shut down.
Turkish Oil Plants Turn to Alternative Oil Supplies
Turkey's largest oil refineries are increasing purchases of alternative crude in reaction to the latest international sanctions on Russia, as reported by industry sources. Turkey is a significant buyer of oil from Russia, along with China and New Delhi, but processing companies are following India's lead in reducing imports.
STAR Plant Expands Oil Procurement
One of the largest Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, operated by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has lately purchased four cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and additional alternative suppliers for year-end arrival, as per insiders. These purchases amount to roughly tens of thousands of barrels daily of alternative crude, depending on shipment volume. In contrast, oil from Russia made up nearly all of the STAR refinery's supply in recent months, amounting to about 210,000 bpd, according to trade data. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.
Another Major Refiner Also Boosting Non-Russian Purchases
Another leading Turkey's refiner – Tupras refinery – was additionally raising acquisitions of non-Russian types of crude, as stated by multiple insiders. The company was also likely to in the near future completely eliminate Russian crude at a key facility of its primary major Turkish plants to continue petroleum shipments to the EU without breaching the European Union's incoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a request for a statement.
Ukrainian Sends Elite Units to Eastern City
Ukraine has sent special forces to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an intense Moscow's assault involving thousands of troops, according to Kyiv’s top commander. Pokrovsk, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a key logistical line for the Ukrainian military and has been under Russia's sights for more than a twelve months as Russia pushes to control the whole east Donetsk region.
Recent Updates in Pokrovsk
At least 200 Moscow's soldiers had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defences, Kyiv reported recently, while military experts assessed that additional forces were closing in on its perimeter in a encircling maneuver. In his nightly address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the combat in the city and “successes in the destruction of the invading forces.”
Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defence Network
Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his allies for additional air defences to counter Moscow's attacks, stated on this past Sunday that the country had reinforced its air-defence network with Berlin's support. “We've strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot component of our national air defense,” he said, referring to the advanced U.S.-made air-defence systems. Without offering additional details, the Ukrainian leader specifically thanked Berlin and its leader, the German chancellor, for thanks.
Russian Attacks Kill Innocents, Cut Electricity
Moscow's unmanned aircraft and missiles fired at Ukraine killed no fewer than six people, among them two minors, and disrupted power to thousands of households, authorities said on Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys aged 11 and fourteen, stated the nation's human rights commissioner. The strikes cut electricity to the entire eastern Donetsk area as well as nearly 58,000 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Vostok army group confirmed some of its personnel were killed in a particular of the Russian attacks on the region.
