Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Oil Refinery Using British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

In a significant military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil refinery. The attack was carried out Thursday, according to the country's military command.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This represents another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian territory.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the primary providers of petrol products in southern Russia and is directly involved in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive discussions with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a really good conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a court in Russia has convicted a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader 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 group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as fabricated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Case

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

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

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its basement, is scheduled to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

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 present its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is due to reopen by the month's end with a show of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt largely anew over the past two years.