Trump States He Is Not Planning Providing Long-Range Cruise Missiles to Ukraine.
FormerPresident Donald Trump indicated on Sunday that he is not really considering supplying Ukraine with advanced Tomahawk missiles. When questioned by a journalist aboard Air Force One, he answered, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier reports had claimed the U.S. Department of Defense told the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to enable this transfer.
Ukraine's Defense Actions Continue Despite Missile Lack
While Ukrainian forces has been pursuing Tomahawk missiles to execute far-reaching strikes against Russia, it has nonetheless succeeded to wage a effective campaign using its own drones and missiles against Russian military and strategic targets, such as fuel storage facilities and processing plants. On Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike hit the port facility on the coast, causing a blaze and harming two vessels, as stated by Moscow authorities. Nearby airfields in the region also had to be closed.
Turkey Refineries Shift to Non-Russian Oil Sources
Ankara's biggest oil refineries are increasing procurement of non-Russian crude in reaction to the recent western sanctions on Moscow, as reported by market sources. Turkey is a significant purchaser of Russian crude, along with China and India, but processing companies are following New Delhi's lead in reducing supplies.
STAR Refinery Expands Oil Procurement
One of the largest Turkish refining plants, the STAR refinery, owned by Azerbaijani company SOCAR, has recently purchased four shipments of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and other non-Russian producers for December arrival, as per insiders. These purchases amount to roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian supply, depending on cargo size. By comparison, oil from Russia made up nearly all of the plant's crude intake in recent months, totaling about 210 thousand barrels per day, according to market information. SOCAR refused to comment.
Tupras Also Boosting Non-Russian Buys
Another leading Turkey's refiner – Tupras – was additionally increasing purchases of non-Russian types of crude, as stated by two insiders. The company was also expected to soon entirely eliminate imports from Russia at a key facility of its two major Turkish refineries to maintain petroleum exports to Europe without violating the EU’s upcoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a inquiry for a statement.
Ukrainian Sends Special Forces to Pokrovsk
Ukraine has sent elite troops to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to push back an fierce Russian offensive comprising thousands of troops, as stated by Ukraine's top commander. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a key supply line for the Kyiv's military and has been in Moscow’s sights for over a year as Moscow aims to control the entire east Donetsk region.
Latest Updates in the City
No fewer than 200 Russian troops had breached the city's defensive lines, Ukrainian officials reported last week, while military experts concluded that additional forces were advancing on its outskirts in a encircling maneuver. In his evening speech on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the fighting in the city and “results in the destruction of the invading forces.”
Zelenskyy Reveals Enhanced Air Defence Network
Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his allies for more air defences to hold off Moscow's strikes, announced on Sunday that the country had reinforced its air defense network with Berlin's assistance. “We have boosted the U.S.-made Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” Zelenskyy said, mentioning the advanced American defense systems. Not providing further details, the Ukraine's president singled out Germany and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.
Moscow's Strikes Claim Innocents, Cut Power
Russian drones and missiles fired at Ukraine took the lives of at least 6 individuals, including two children, and cut electricity to thousands of households, authorities reported on Sunday. Moscow's military attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the representatives of Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The victims were two boys of ages 11 and 14, said the nation's ombudsman. Russia’s strikes disrupted electricity to the whole eastern Donetsk area as well as nearly 58,000 homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. The Vostok army group said a number of its members were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.