Kyiv Strikes Russian Oil Refinery Using British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.
As part of a notable military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil refinery. This strike was carried out 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 observed at the site. This marks another instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian soil.
Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary providers of fuel products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.
Political Discussions on the Conflict
Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive discussions with representatives of ex-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 stated on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, and, certainly, the timeline.”
Judicial Proceedings Within Russia
In a parallel internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.
This case reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in defiance.
Foreign Prisoner Case
The Kremlin indicated it is in contact with French officials concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of spying.
An official said 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 mobilised to provide consular support and push for his release as soon as possible.
Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol
The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.
However, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Moscow effort to present its administration in seized territories, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of critics and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.
It is due to reopen by the month's end with a show of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the last 24 months.