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

In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil refinery. The attack was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This represents not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the main suppliers of fuel products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive talks with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a really good conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was given to six years in prison.

This case are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov published backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as fabricated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Case

Russian authorities indicated it is in contact with French authorities regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.

A spokesperson stated 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 monitoring the situation, with all state resources working to provide consular support and push for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its basement, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Moscow effort to showcase its administration in seized territories, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of critics and confiscation of assets from local residents.

It is due to reopen by the month's end with a show of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction largely anew over the past two years.