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

As part of a notable military action, Kyiv's forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to the country's military command.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the location. This marks not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian territory.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the primary providers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive discussions with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on possible ways to end the war.

“It was a really good conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, of course, the schedule.”

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, head 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 backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Situation

Russian authorities indicated it is engaged with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has made an offer to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all government services mobilised to provide consular support and push for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Moscow effort to present its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and property seizures from local residents.

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