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FormerPresident Donald Trump remarked on Sunday that he is not really contemplating supplying Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk missiles. In response to a query by a reporter aboard Air Force One, he replied, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier reports had indicated the Pentagon informed the administration that U.S. stockpiles of Tomahawks were sufficient to enable this transfer.

Ukrainian Defense Efforts Continue Despite Missile Lack

While Ukraine has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching strikes against Russia, it has still succeeded to wage a effective campaign using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Russian military and strategic objectives, including fuel storage facilities and processing plants. On Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike targeted the Tuapse oil port on the coast, causing a blaze and harming two ships, as stated by Moscow authorities. Nearby Russian airports in the area also had to be closed.

Turkey Oil Plants Shift to Non-Russian Oil Sources

Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are increasing purchases of alternative crude in response to the latest western restrictions on Russia, according to industry insiders. The country is a major buyer of oil from Russia, along with China and India, but processing companies are mirroring India's lead in reducing imports.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Diversifies Oil Sources

A major Turkey's refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and other non-Russian suppliers for year-end delivery, according to sources. This represent roughly tens of thousands of barrels daily of alternative crude, varying by cargo size. By comparison, oil from Russia made up virtually all of the plant's supply in recent months, amounting to about 210 thousand bpd, based on market information. SOCAR refused to comment.

Tupras Also Increasing Non-Russian Purchases

The other major Turkish oil processor – Tupras refinery – was also increasing purchases of non-Russian grades of crude, as stated by multiple sources. Tupras was furthermore expected to soon completely phase out imports from Russia at a key facility of its two major Turkish refineries to continue petroleum shipments to Europe without violating the European Union's incoming sanctions. The refiner declined to comment to a inquiry for comment.

Ukraine Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk

Ukraine has deployed elite troops to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an fierce Moscow's offensive comprising a large number of troops, as stated by Ukraine's senior military leader. The city, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a major logistical route for the Kyiv's military and has been in Moscow’s crosshairs for more than a year as Moscow pushes to seize the entire east Donetsk region.

Recent Developments in Pokrovsk

No fewer than two hundred Russian troops had penetrated the city's defences, Kyiv said recently, while military experts concluded that additional forces were advancing on its outskirts in a encircling movement. In his nightly speech on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned the fighting in the city and “results in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defence Network

Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his partners for more air defense systems to counter Russia’s strikes, stated on Sunday that the country had strengthened its air-defence network with Germany’s assistance. “We've boosted the Patriot component of our national air defence,” Zelenskyy declared, referring to the sophisticated American air-defence systems. Not offering further details, the Ukrainian leader specifically thanked Germany and its leader, the German chancellor, for gratitude.

Russian Attacks Kill Innocents, Cut Power

Moscow's drones and missiles targeting Ukraine took the lives of at least six individuals, among them two children, and disrupted power to tens of thousands of residents, authorities reported on Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the office of the country's prosecutor general. The victims were male minors aged 11 and 14, said Ukraine’s ombudsman. Russia’s attacks disrupted electricity to the whole east Donetsk area as well as almost 58,000 homes in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. Ukraine’s Vostok military unit confirmed some of its personnel were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.