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

As part of a notable military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil refinery. This strike occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the location. This marks another instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian territory.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the primary providers of fuel products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive discussions with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

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

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was given to six years in prison.

The charges reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov shared backing another group of activists charged with 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 Case

The Kremlin indicated it is in contact with French officials concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of spying.

A spokesperson stated 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 Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians were sheltering in its basement, is set to reopen. Authorities in control have heralded the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Kremlin effort to showcase its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and property seizures from local residents.

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