Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Refinery With British Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the location. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against objectives on Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary suppliers of fuel products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in providing for the military 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 ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on possible ways to end the war.

“It was 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 approaches, potential summits, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

The charges reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as fabricated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Case

Russian authorities has stated it is in contact with French authorities regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of espionage.

An official stated that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated 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 devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have heralded the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and confiscation of assets from local residents.

It is expected to open by the month's end with a performance of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the past two years.