Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Refinery With UK-supplied Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

As part of a notable military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil refinery. The attack was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the location. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive discussions with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on possible ways to end the war.

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

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

In a parallel internal matter, a court in Russia has convicted a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

This case reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov shared in support of another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

International Detainee Situation

Russian authorities indicated it is in contact with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of espionage.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all government services working to provide consular support and push for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians were sheltering in its basement, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its administration in seized territories, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the last 24 months.