Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Refinery Using British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil refinery. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the country's military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the site. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets inside Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main providers of fuel products in Russia's south and is directly involved in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

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

“It was a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Inside the Country

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 Left Front movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.

This case are said to be based on an article Udaltsov published backing another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin has stated it is engaged with French officials regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of spying.

A spokesperson said that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is monitoring 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 hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its basement, is scheduled to open its doors again. Authorities in control have heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Kremlin effort to showcase its administration in seized territories, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt largely anew over the last 24 months.