Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Oil Refinery With UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.

As part of a notable escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil refinery. This strike occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This marks another instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives on Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is directly involved in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

Separately, 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. These talks centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a very productive conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated 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 timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a court in Russia has convicted a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

This case are said to be based on an article Udaltsov published backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

The Kremlin has stated it is engaged with French authorities concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of espionage.

An official said that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of 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 mobilised to offer assistance and push for his liberation as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its administration in seized territories, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from local residents.

It is expected to open by the end of the month with a show of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the last 24 months.