Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Refinery With British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

In a significant 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.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This marks not the first instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the primary suppliers of fuel products in Russia's south and is directly involved in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

Separately, Ukrainian 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 possible ways to end the war.

“It was a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it involves approaches, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has found guilty a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

This case are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Situation

Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French authorities concerning the case 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 made an offer to France regarding 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 offer assistance and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

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. Authorities in control have heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to showcase its administration 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 classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the last 24 months.