Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Refinery With British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

As part of a notable military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil refinery. This strike occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the site. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against objectives inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the main providers of fuel products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in supplying 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 talks with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to bring real peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a court in Russia has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

This case are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov shared in support of another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

International Detainee Situation

The Kremlin has stated it is engaged with French authorities concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of espionage.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has made an offer to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to offer assistance and advocate for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to showcase its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

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.