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

In a significant military action, Kyiv's forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil processing facility. This strike occurred on Thursday, as stated by the country's military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit objectives on Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main suppliers of fuel products in Russia's south and is directly involved in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to end the war.

“We had a really good conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it involves formats, meetings, and, of course, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a court in Russia has convicted a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was given to six years in prison.

The charges reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

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

An official said that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is expected to open by the end of the month with a show of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the last 24 months.