Trump Says He Is Not Considering Supplying Tomahawk Missiles to Kyiv.
Ex-President Donald Trump stated on Sunday that he was not seriously planning sending Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk missiles. In response to a query by a journalist on Air Force One, he responded, “No, not really.” Recent reports had suggested the Pentagon informed the administration that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to allow this transfer.
Ukraine's Military Actions Persist Despite Weapon Lack
Although Ukraine has been requesting Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching attacks against Russia, it has nonetheless managed to wage a effective operation using its own unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Russian military and strategic targets, including oil depots and refineries. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike struck the Tuapse oil port on the coast, igniting a fire and damaging two vessels, according to Russian authorities. Nearby airfields in the area also had to be closed.
Turkish Refineries Shift to Alternative Oil Supplies
Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are increasing procurement of alternative crude in reaction to the latest international sanctions on Moscow, as reported by industry insiders. Turkey is a significant purchaser of oil from Russia, along with China and New Delhi, but refiners are following New Delhi's lead in cutting back supplies.
SOCAR Turkey Plant Expands Crude Procurement
One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR), operated by Azeri company SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakhstan, and other alternative suppliers for year-end delivery, according to insiders. This represent approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels daily of alternative crude, varying by shipment volume. By comparison, oil from Russia made up nearly all of the plant's supply in October and September, totaling about 210,000 bpd, according to trade data. SOCAR refused to comment.
Tupras Likewise Increasing Non-Russian Purchases
Another leading Turkish refiner – Tupras refinery – was also increasing purchases of alternative grades of crude, according to multiple sources. Tupras was furthermore expected to in the near future entirely phase out imports from Russia at one of its primary major domestic refineries to maintain petroleum shipments to the EU without breaching the EU’s upcoming restrictions. The refiner did not respond to a request for a statement.
Ukrainian Deploys Elite Units to Pokrovsk
Kyiv has deployed elite troops to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an fierce Moscow's assault comprising thousands of troops, according to Kyiv’s top military leader. The city, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a key supply route for the Ukrainian army and has been under Russia's crosshairs for more than a year as Moscow pushes to control the entire eastern Donetsk region.
Latest Developments in the City
At least 200 Russian soldiers had breached the city's defences, Kyiv reported last week, while analysts concluded that others were closing in on its perimeter in a encircling maneuver. In his evening address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the fighting in Pokrovsk and “results in the destruction of the invading forces.”
Ukrainian President Reveals Enhanced Air Defense System
The president, who has been urging his partners for additional air defense systems to hold off Russia’s attacks, stated on this past Sunday that the country had reinforced its air defense network with Berlin's assistance. “We have strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot component of our national air defense,” Zelenskyy declared, mentioning the advanced U.S.-made air-defence systems. Without offering additional information, the Ukraine's leader singled out Germany and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for gratitude.
Russian Attacks Kill Innocents, Cut Power
Russian unmanned aircraft and missiles targeting Ukraine took the lives of no fewer than 6 people, including 2 children, and cut electricity to tens of thousands of households, officials reported on Sunday. Russian forces attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the representatives of Ukraine’s prosecutor general. The victims were two boys of ages 11 and 14, stated the nation's human rights commissioner. The attacks cut electricity to the whole eastern Donetsk region as well as almost 58,000 homes in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. Ukraine’s Vostok army group said a number of its personnel were killed in a particular of the enemy attacks on Dnipropetrovsk.