Kyiv Strikes Moscow's Oil Refinery With UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.

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

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This represents another instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles against objectives on Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the main providers of petrol products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks 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 wrote on a messaging platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it concerns approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Inside the Country

In a parallel internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.

The charges reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Case

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

An official said that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and advocate for his release as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

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

However, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its rule in seized territories, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and property seizures from local residents.

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