Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Refinery Using British Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil processing facility. The attack was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the site. This marks another instance where Ukraine has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the primary providers of petrol products in Russia's south and is directly involved in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive discussions with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a really good conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it involves formats, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

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

This case reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Situation

Russian authorities indicated it is engaged with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of spying.

An official said 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 provide consular support and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

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

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction 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 property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

It is expected to open by the end of the month with a performance of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the last 24 months.