Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Refinery Using British Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant military action, Kyiv's forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil processing facility. This strike occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military command.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles against objectives on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to end the war.

“It was a very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “There are some new ideas on how to move toward real peace closer, and it involves formats, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and critic 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 reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov shared backing another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

Russian authorities indicated it is in contact with French authorities regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has made an offer to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is monitoring the situation, with all state resources working to offer assistance and push for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Kremlin effort to showcase its rule in seized territories, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the past two years.