Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Oil Refinery With British Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant escalation, Kyiv's forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil refinery. This strike occurred on Thursday, as stated by the country's military command.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This marks not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is directly involved in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

In a parallel domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

This case are said to be based on an article Udaltsov published in support of another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

International Detainee Situation

The Kremlin indicated it is engaged with French authorities concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of espionage.

An official said that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and push for his release as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Kremlin effort to showcase its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

It is expected to open by the month's end with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the last 24 months.