Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Refinery With British Storm Shadow Missiles.

As part of a notable escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil refinery. This strike occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is directly involved in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

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. The conversation focused on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it involves formats, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a court in Russia has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

This case are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov shared in support of another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

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

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

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Moscow effort to showcase its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

It is due to reopen by the month's end with a show of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the last 24 months.