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

As part of a notable military action, Ukrainian forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military command.

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 another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against targets inside Russian soil.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the primary suppliers of fuel products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

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

“It was a really good conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, of course, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in prison.

The charges are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Situation

The Kremlin has stated it is engaged with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of spying.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has made an offer to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all government services mobilised to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

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

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to showcase its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is expected to open by the end of the month with a show of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt largely anew over the last 24 months.