Trump Says He Isn't Planning Supplying Tomahawk Missiles to Ukraine.
FormerPresident Trump remarked on Sunday that he was not seriously planning providing Ukrainian forces with advanced Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a journalist on Air Force One, he answered, “No, not at the moment.” Recent reports had indicated the Pentagon informed the administration that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to enable such a transfer.
Ukraine's Military Actions Continue Without Missile Shortage
Although Ukrainian forces has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to execute far-reaching strikes against Russia, it has still managed to wage a effective operation using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and rockets against Russian military and key targets, such as oil depots and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike struck the port facility on the coast, causing a blaze and damaging two ships, according to Moscow officials. Adjacent airfields in the region also had to be closed.
Turkish Refineries Turn to Alternative Crude Sources
Ankara's largest oil refineries are boosting purchases of alternative crude in reaction to the latest international restrictions on Moscow, according to market insiders. The country is a significant purchaser of oil from Russia, along with Beijing and India, but processing companies are mirroring India's example in cutting back imports.
STAR Plant Expands Crude Procurement
One of the largest Turkish refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azerbaijani firm SOCAR, has recently acquired multiple shipments of crude from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and other alternative suppliers for year-end arrival, according to insiders. This amount to roughly 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of alternative supply, varying by shipment volume. In contrast, oil from Russia accounted for virtually all of the STAR refinery's supply in October and September, amounting to approximately 210,000 bpd, based on trade data. SOCAR refused to provide a statement.
Another Major Refiner Also Boosting Non-Russian Buys
Another leading Turkey's oil processor – Tupras refinery – was additionally increasing acquisitions of non-Russian types of crude, according to multiple insiders. Tupras was furthermore expected to in the near future completely eliminate Russian crude at one of its two main Turkish refineries to continue fuel shipments to Europe without violating the EU’s upcoming sanctions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for comment.
Ukraine Deploys Special Forces to Pokrovsk
Kyiv has sent elite troops to the heavily contested eastern city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an fierce Russian offensive involving thousands of soldiers, according to Kyiv’s senior military leader. Pokrovsk, called “the entrance to Donetsk,” is located on a key logistical line for the Ukrainian army and has been in Moscow’s sights for over a year as Moscow aims to control the entire eastern Donetsk area.
Latest Updates in the City
No fewer than 200 Moscow's troops had penetrated the city's defences, Ukrainian officials said last week, while analysts concluded that additional forces were advancing on its perimeter in a encircling movement. In his evening address on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the fighting in the city and “successes in the elimination of the occupiers.”
Zelenskyy Announces Enhanced Air Defence System
Zelenskyy, who has been urging his allies for more air defences to counter Moscow's attacks, announced on Sunday that the country had reinforced its air-defence capabilities with Germany’s assistance. “We have boosted the Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defense,” he declared, mentioning the advanced U.S.-made defense systems. Not offering further information, the Ukrainian leader singled out Berlin and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for thanks.
Moscow's Attacks Kill Civilians, Cut Electricity
Russian drones and rockets targeting Ukraine took the lives of no fewer than 6 people, including two children, and disrupted power to thousands of households, authorities said on this past Sunday. Moscow's military attacked the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa areas, said the representatives of the country's chief prosecutor. The children were two boys aged eleven and fourteen, stated the nation's ombudsman. The attacks disrupted power to the whole east Donetsk region as well as almost 58 thousand households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their governors said. Ukraine’s Eastern army group confirmed some of its personnel were killed in one of the enemy strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.
