Kyiv Strikes Moscow's Oil Refinery Using British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This represents not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

In a related development, 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. These talks focused on potential pathways to end the war.

“It was a really good conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it involves formats, potential summits, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

In a parallel internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

The charges are said to be based on an article Udaltsov shared in support of another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Case

Russian authorities indicated it is in contact with French officials concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing new charges 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 stated he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and advocate for his release as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians sought refuge in its basement, is scheduled to open its doors again. Authorities in control have heralded the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its administration in seized territories, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from local residents.

It is due to reopen by the month's end with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the past two years.