Kyiv Strikes Moscow's Oil Refinery With British Storm Shadow Missiles.
In a significant escalation, Kyiv's forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.
Details of the Strike and Military Significance
The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This represents another instance where Ukraine has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian territory.
Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia 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 “very good” talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.
“We had a really good conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “There are some new ideas on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”
Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country
Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.
This case reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published backing another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest.
Foreign Prisoner Case
The Kremlin indicated it is engaged with French officials concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of espionage.
An official said that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all government services mobilised to offer assistance and push for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.
Controversial Reopening in Mariupol
The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.
However, former actors 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 seized territories, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.
The theatre is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the past two years.
