Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Refinery Using UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.

As part of a notable escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil refinery. This strike occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This marks another instance where Ukraine has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main providers of fuel products in Russia's south and is directly involved in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on potential pathways to end the war.

“It was a really good conversation: numerous specifics, 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 approaches, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

In a parallel domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. 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 published backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Case

Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French authorities concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of espionage.

An official stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all government services working to offer assistance and advocate for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

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

However, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its rule in seized territories, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

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