Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Refinery With British Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the country's military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the location. This marks not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian soil.

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

Political Discussions on the War Front

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive discussions with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it concerns formats, potential summits, and, of course, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has found guilty a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was given to six years in prison.

This case reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published backing another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Case

The Kremlin has stated it is engaged with French officials concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.

A spokesperson said that Russia has made an offer to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all state resources working to offer assistance and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed 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 sign of renewal.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its administration in seized territories, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

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