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

As part of a notable military action, Ukrainian forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive 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 really good conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward real peace closer, and it involves formats, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a domestic 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 opposition movement, was given to six years in prison.

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

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin indicated it is engaged with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly 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.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is closely following the situation, with all government services mobilised to offer assistance and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Moscow effort to showcase its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

It is due to reopen by the month's end with a show of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt largely anew over the last 24 months.