Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Oil Refinery With British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

In a significant escalation, Ukrainian forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil processing facility. This strike occurred on Thursday, as stated by the country's military command.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets inside Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary providers of fuel products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive talks with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on possible ways to end the war.

“We had a very productive conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

In a parallel internal matter, a court in Russia has convicted a activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

This case are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov shared in support of another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Case

The Kremlin indicated it is in contact with French officials concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly 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 offer assistance and push for his release as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its basement, is set to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the last 24 months.