Donald Trump Says He Is Not Planning Supplying Long-Range Missiles to Kyiv.

FormerPresident Donald Trump indicated on Sunday that he is not actively planning providing Ukraine with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. When questioned by a journalist aboard Air Force One, he answered, “No, not at the moment.” Recent reports had claimed the U.S. Department of Defense told the White House that American inventories of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow this transfer.

Ukrainian Defense Efforts Persist Despite Missile Lack

While Ukrainian forces has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to carry out long-range attacks against Russia, it has still managed to wage a effective campaign using its domestically-produced drones and rockets against Russian military and strategic objectives, including oil depots and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's drone attack targeted the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a blaze and harming two vessels, as stated by Russian authorities. Adjacent airfields in the area also had to be closed.

Turkey Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Oil Sources

Turkey's biggest oil refineries are boosting procurement of alternative crude in response to the latest international sanctions on Moscow, as reported by industry sources. The country is a major purchaser of Russian crude, along with Beijing and India, but processing companies are mirroring New Delhi's lead in reducing imports.

SOCAR Turkey Refinery Expands Crude Sources

One of the largest Turkey's refineries, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has recently purchased four shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakh, and other non-Russian suppliers for year-end delivery, as per insiders. This represent approximately tens of thousands of barrels daily of alternative crude, varying by cargo size. In contrast, oil from Russia accounted for nearly all of the plant's supply in recent months, totaling approximately 210 thousand barrels per day, based on market data. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.

Tupras Also Boosting Non-Russian Purchases

Another leading Turkey's refiner – Tupras refinery – was also increasing purchases of non-Russian types of crude, according to multiple sources. Tupras was furthermore likely to soon entirely phase out imports from Russia at a key facility of its two main Turkish refineries to maintain fuel exports to the EU without violating the EU’s incoming restrictions. The refiner declined to comment to a inquiry for a statement.

Ukrainian Sends Special Forces to Eastern City

Kyiv has sent special forces to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to repel an intense Russian assault involving a large number of soldiers, according to Kyiv’s senior military leader. The city, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a key supply line for the Kyiv's military and has been in Russia's sights for over a year as Russia aims to control the whole east Donetsk region.

Latest Updates in Pokrovsk

At least two hundred Russian soldiers had penetrated Pokrovsk’s defences, Kyiv said recently, while analysts concluded 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 fighting in Pokrovsk and “successes in the destruction of the occupiers.”

Ukrainian President Announces Enhanced Air Defence System

Zelenskyy, who has been urging his partners for more air defences to hold off Russia’s strikes, announced on this past Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air defense network with Germany’s support. “We've boosted the U.S.-made Patriot component of our national air defence,” Zelenskyy said, mentioning the sophisticated U.S.-made defense systems. Not offering additional information, the Ukraine's leader singled out Germany and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.

Moscow's Strikes Claim Innocents, Disrupt Electricity

Moscow's unmanned aircraft and missiles fired at Ukrainian territory killed no fewer than 6 individuals, including 2 minors, and cut electricity to thousands of residents, authorities said on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, according to the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The children were male minors aged eleven and fourteen, stated Ukraine’s ombudsman. The attacks cut power to the whole eastern Donetsk region as well as almost 58,000 households in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. The Eastern military unit said some of its members were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.