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

As part of a notable escalation, Ukrainian forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. The attack was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the site. This marks not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a really good conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it concerns formats, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

In a parallel internal matter, a Russian court has found guilty a pro-war 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 prison.

The charges reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published in support of another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

International Detainee Case

The Kremlin has stated it is in contact with French authorities concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all government services working to offer assistance and advocate for his release as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Kremlin 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 due to reopen by the end of the month with a show of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the last 24 months.