Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Refinery Using British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

As part of a notable escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil refinery. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the country's military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the site. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles against objectives inside Russian soil.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main providers of fuel products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a very productive conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “There are some new ideas on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, 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 opponent 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 online post Udaltsov shared in support of another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin has stated it is engaged with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of espionage.

An official said that Russia has presented a proposal 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 push for his liberation as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

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

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to showcase its rule in seized territories, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and property seizures from local residents.

It is expected to open by the end of the month with a performance of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the last 24 months.