Donald Trump States He Isn't Planning Providing Tomahawk Missiles to Ukraine.
FormerPresident Donald Trump indicated on Sunday that he is not really planning supplying Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. After being asked by a journalist aboard Air Force One, he responded, “No, not currently.” Earlier reports had claimed the U.S. Department of Defense told the White House that American stockpiles of Tomahawks were adequate to enable such a delivery.
Ukraine's Defense Actions Continue Despite Missile Lack
Although Ukraine has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to conduct far-reaching attacks against Russia, it has still managed to conduct a effective campaign using its domestically-produced unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles against Russian military and key objectives, including oil depots and refineries. On Sunday, a Kyiv's airstrike hit the port facility on the Black Sea, igniting a blaze and harming two ships, according to Moscow officials. Nearby Russian airports in the region also had to be shut down.
Turkey Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Oil Supplies
Ankara's biggest oil refining facilities are boosting procurement of non-Russian crude in reaction to the latest western restrictions on Russia, according to industry sources. Turkey is a major buyer of Russian crude, along with Beijing and New Delhi, but processing companies are following New Delhi's example in cutting back supplies.
STAR Refinery Diversifies Crude Sources
A major Turkey's refineries, the STAR refinery, owned by Azeri company SOCAR, has recently acquired multiple cargoes of crude from Iraqi, Kazakh, and additional non-Russian producers for year-end arrival, as per insiders. These purchases amount to roughly tens of thousands of barrels daily of non-Russian supply, depending on shipment volume. In contrast, Russian crude accounted for virtually all of the STAR refinery's crude intake in recent months, totaling about 210,000 bpd, based on market information. SOCAR declined to provide a statement.
Another Major Refiner Likewise Boosting Alternative Buys
The other major Turkish oil processor – Tupras refinery – was additionally increasing purchases of alternative types of crude, as stated by multiple sources. Tupras was furthermore expected to in the near future completely eliminate Russian crude at one of its primary major Turkish refineries to continue fuel exports to Europe without breaching the EU’s upcoming restrictions. The refiner declined to comment to a inquiry for a statement.
Ukraine Sends Special Forces to Eastern City
Kyiv has sent elite troops to the heavily contested east city of Pokrovsk in an effort to repel an fierce Russian assault comprising thousands of soldiers, according to Kyiv’s top commander. Pokrovsk, called “the gateway to Donetsk,” is located on a key logistical route for the Ukrainian army and has been under Moscow’s sights for over a twelve months as Russia pushes to control the whole east Donetsk region.
Recent Developments in Pokrovsk
No fewer than two hundred Moscow's troops had penetrated the city's defences, Kyiv said recently, while analysts concluded that additional forces were closing in on its perimeter in a pincer-shaped movement. In his nightly speech on this past Sunday, the Ukrainian president spoke of the fighting in the city and “results in the elimination of the invading forces.”
Ukrainian President Announces Enhanced Air Defence System
The president, who has been pushing his partners for additional air defense systems to hold off Moscow's strikes, stated on this past Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air defense capabilities with Berlin's assistance. “We've strengthened the U.S.-made Patriot component of our Ukrainian air defence,” Zelenskyy said, mentioning the sophisticated U.S.-made defense systems. Not offering further information, the Ukraine's president singled out Berlin and its chancellor, Friedrich Merz, for thanks.
Moscow's Attacks Claim Innocents, Disrupt Electricity
Moscow's drones and missiles fired at Ukraine killed at least 6 individuals, among them 2 children, and cut electricity to thousands of households, officials said on Sunday. Moscow's military struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the office of the country's chief prosecutor. The children were male minors aged eleven and fourteen, said Ukraine’s ombudsman. Russia’s strikes disrupted electricity to the whole eastern Donetsk region as well as nearly 58 thousand households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders announced. The Vostok military unit confirmed a number of its personnel were killed in one of the Russian strikes on the region.