Trump Affirms He Isn't Considering Providing Long-Range Missiles to Ukraine.
FormerPresident Donald Trump remarked on Sunday that he is not seriously planning sending Ukrainian forces with long-range Tomahawk missiles. In response to a query by a journalist on Air Force One, he responded, “No, not at the moment.” Earlier reports had suggested the Pentagon informed the White House that American inventories of Tomahawks were sufficient to allow this delivery.
Ukraine's Military Efforts Continue Without Missile Shortage
Although Ukrainian forces has been seeking Tomahawk missiles to conduct long-range strikes against Russian targets, it has still managed to conduct a effective campaign using its own drones and rockets against Moscow's military and key targets, such as oil depots and processing plants. This past Sunday, a Ukrainian airstrike struck the port facility on the coast, igniting a fire and damaging two vessels, according to Russian authorities. Adjacent airfields in the region also had to be closed.
Turkish Refineries Turn to Non-Russian Crude Supplies
Turkey's biggest oil refineries are boosting procurement of non-Russian crude in response to the latest international sanctions on Moscow, according to market insiders. Turkey is a significant buyer of oil from Russia, along with China and India, but processing companies are mirroring India's example in cutting back imports.
STAR Refinery Expands Crude Sources
One of the largest Turkey's refining plants, the STAR refinery, operated by Azeri firm SOCAR, has lately acquired multiple cargoes of crude from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and additional alternative producers for year-end delivery, according to insiders. This amount to approximately 77,000 to 129,000 barrels per day (bpd) of non-Russian crude, depending on shipment volume. By comparison, oil from Russia accounted for nearly the entirety of the plant's supply in October and September, amounting to approximately 210,000 bpd, based on market information. SOCAR declined to comment.
Tupras Also Boosting Alternative Buys
Another major Turkish refiner – Tupras – was additionally raising purchases of non-Russian types of crude, according to two sources. The company was also likely to soon completely phase out Russian crude at one of its two main domestic plants to continue petroleum shipments to Europe without violating the European Union's upcoming restrictions. Tupras did not respond to a inquiry for comment.
Ukrainian Sends Special Forces to Eastern City
Ukraine has sent special forces to the embattled eastern city of Pokrovsk in an attempt to push back an fierce Moscow's offensive involving thousands of soldiers, according to Ukraine's senior military leader. Pokrovsk, dubbed “the entrance to Donetsk,” lies on a major logistical line for the Kyiv's army and has been under Moscow’s crosshairs for over a twelve months as Russia pushes to control the entire eastern Donetsk area.
Recent Updates in the City
No fewer than two hundred Moscow's soldiers had penetrated the city's defensive lines, Ukrainian officials said recently, while military experts assessed that others were advancing on its perimeter in a encircling movement. In his nightly address on Sunday, Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke of the fighting in the city and “results in the elimination of the invading forces.”
Ukrainian President Announces Strengthened Air Defense System
Zelenskyy, who has been pushing his partners for more air defense systems to counter Russia’s attacks, announced on this past Sunday that Ukraine had reinforced its air defense capabilities with Germany’s support. “We have strengthened the Patriot element of our Ukrainian air defense,” he said, referring to the sophisticated U.S.-made air-defence systems. Not offering additional details, the Ukraine's leader singled out Germany and its chancellor, the German chancellor, for thanks.
Russian Attacks Claim Civilians, Disrupt Electricity
Russian drones and missiles targeting Ukrainian territory killed at least 6 people, including 2 children, and cut power to thousands of residents, authorities said on Sunday. Russian forces struck the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions, according to the representatives of Ukraine’s chief prosecutor. The victims were two boys aged 11 and 14, said Ukraine’s ombudsman. The strikes disrupted electricity to the whole eastern Donetsk area as well as almost 58,000 households in the south Zaporizhzhia region, their local leaders said. The Vostok army group confirmed a number of its personnel were killed in a particular of the Russian strikes on Dnipropetrovsk.
