Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Refinery Using British Storm Shadow Missiles.

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

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit objectives on Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a really good conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns formats, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

In a parallel domestic matter, a court in Russia has found guilty 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 reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published backing another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

Russian authorities indicated it is engaged with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.

An official said that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is monitoring the situation, with all government services working to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

However, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Moscow effort to showcase its rule in seized territories, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from local residents.

It is due to reopen by the month's end with a show of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the past two years.