Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Refinery With British Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil refinery. This strike was carried out Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This represents another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against objectives inside Russian territory.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is directly involved in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive discussions with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on possible ways to end the war.

“We had a very productive conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

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

This case are said to be based on an article Udaltsov published backing another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Case

The Kremlin indicated it is in contact with French officials concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently 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 in the case of Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is monitoring the situation, with all state resources working to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have called the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader 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 Ukrainian citizens.

It is expected to open by the month's end with a show of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the past two years.