Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Oil Refinery With British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

In a significant escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. The attack occurred on Thursday, as stated by the country's military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the location. This marks not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit objectives on Russian territory.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is directly involved in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

In a related development, 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. The conversation centered on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a really good conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it concerns approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a court in Russia has convicted a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.

This case are said to be based on an article Udaltsov published in support of another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

Russian authorities has stated it is in contact with French authorities regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of spying.

An official said 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 stated he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and push for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Kremlin effort to showcase its administration in seized territories, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

It is due to reopen by the month's end with a show of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the last 24 months.