Kyiv Strikes Moscow's Oil Refinery With UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the country's military command.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the site. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit objectives on Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary suppliers of fuel products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a really good conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it involves formats, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

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

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 organisation. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

International Detainee Situation

The Kremlin has stated it is engaged with French officials regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

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

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians were sheltering in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider 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.

It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt largely anew over the last 24 months.