Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Oil Refinery Using UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.

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

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets inside Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the primary providers of petrol products in southern Russia and is directly involved in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

Separately, 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 centered on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Inside the Country

In a parallel internal matter, a Russian court has found guilty a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

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

Foreign Prisoner Situation

Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French authorities regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of spying.

A spokesperson said 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 closely following the situation, with all state resources working to provide consular support and push for his release as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is expected to open by the end of the month with a performance of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the past two years.