Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Oil Refinery Using UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.

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

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the site. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the main providers of fuel products in southern Russia and is directly involved in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a really good conversation: many details, good ideas, 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, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

In a parallel domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was given to six years in prison.

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

International Detainee Situation

Russian authorities has stated it is in contact with French officials regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

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 mobilised to provide consular support and push for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Kremlin effort to showcase its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from local residents.

The theatre is expected to open by the month's end with a performance of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction largely anew over the past two years.