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

As part of a notable military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This marks another instance where Ukraine has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles against targets inside Russian territory.

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

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward real peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

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

This case reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published backing another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French authorities regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of spying.

A spokesperson said that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is closely following the situation, with all government services mobilised to provide consular support and push for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Moscow effort to showcase its administration in seized territories, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from local residents.

The theatre is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction largely anew over the last 24 months.