Kyiv Strikes Moscow's Oil Refinery Using British Storm Shadow Missiles.

As part of a notable military action, Ukrainian forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil refinery. The attack was carried out Thursday, as stated by the country's military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts observed at the site. This marks not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles against objectives on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is directly involved in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to end the war.

“It was a really good conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, meetings, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

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

The charges are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov shared backing another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as fabricated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

International Detainee Situation

Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French authorities regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of espionage.

An official stated that Russia has made an offer to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all government services working to offer assistance and push for his release as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Moscow effort to showcase its rule in seized territories, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from local residents.

The theatre is expected to open by the end of the month with a performance of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt largely anew over the past two years.