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

In a significant military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil refinery. The attack was carried out Thursday, according to the country's military command.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This represents another instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit objectives on Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main suppliers of fuel products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on potential pathways to end the war.

“It was a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

In a parallel domestic matter, a court in Russia has convicted a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.

The charges reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov shared in support of another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Case

Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French officials concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of espionage.

An official said that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to showcase its rule in seized territories, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and confiscation of assets from local residents.

The theatre is due to reopen by the end of the month with a show of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the last 24 months.