Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Oil Refinery Using UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.

As part of a notable escalation, Kyiv's forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This marks another instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian territory.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the primary providers of fuel products in southern Russia and is directly involved in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive discussions with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a very productive 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 a genuine peace closer, and it concerns approaches, potential summits, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

In a parallel domestic matter, a court in Russia 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 given 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 charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin indicated it is engaged with French officials regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of spying.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all state resources working to provide consular support and advocate for his release as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its basement, is scheduled to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Kremlin effort to showcase its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and property seizures from local residents.

The theatre is expected to open by the month's end with a show of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the last 24 months.