Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Refinery With British Storm Shadow Missiles.

As part of a notable escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil refinery. This strike was carried out Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the location. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it concerns formats, potential summits, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

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

The charges are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Situation

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

An official said that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding 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 state resources working to offer assistance and push for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from local residents.

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