Kyiv Strikes Moscow's Oil Refinery With British Storm Shadow Missiles.

As part of a notable military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to the country's military command.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts observed at the site. This marks not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against objectives inside Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is directly involved in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on possible ways to end the war.

“We had a really good conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it involves formats, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in prison.

This case reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published in support of another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as fabricated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin indicated it is in contact with French authorities concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is closely following the situation, with all state resources working to provide consular support and push for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

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

However, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Kremlin effort to showcase its rule in seized territories, a process that includes the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from local residents.

It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the last 24 months.