Kyiv Strikes Moscow's Oil Refinery With UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil refinery. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military command.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary suppliers of fuel products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a really good conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

In a parallel domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in prison.

The charges are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov published backing another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

International Detainee Case

Russian authorities indicated it is in contact with French authorities concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

A spokesperson said that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all government services mobilised to offer assistance and push for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians sought refuge in its basement, is scheduled to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to showcase its administration in seized territories, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

It is expected to open by the end of the month with a show of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the last 24 months.