Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Refinery With British Storm Shadow Missiles.

As part of a notable escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against objectives inside Russian soil.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the primary providers of fuel products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to end the war.

“We had a very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “There are some new ideas on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it concerns formats, potential summits, and, of course, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition 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, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Case

Russian authorities indicated it is engaged with French authorities concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all government services mobilised to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

It is expected to open by the end of the month with a performance of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt largely anew over the past two years.