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

In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military command.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the site. This represents another instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles against objectives inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main providers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive discussions with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on potential pathways to end the war.

“It was a really good conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “There are some new ideas on how to move toward real peace closer, and it involves formats, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has found guilty a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

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

Foreign Prisoner Situation

Russian authorities indicated it is in contact with French authorities concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.

An official said that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all state resources working to offer assistance and push for his liberation as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while many civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Kremlin effort to showcase its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is expected to open by the month's end with a show of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the last 24 months.