Kyiv Strikes Moscow's Fuel Plant Using British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.
As part of a notable escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil refinery. The attack was carried out Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military command.
Details of the Strike and Military Significance
The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the location. This marks not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives inside Russian soil.
Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.
Political Discussions on the Conflict
In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways 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 new ideas on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it involves formats, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”
Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country
Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.
This case are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.
Foreign Prisoner Situation
The Kremlin indicated it is in contact with French authorities concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.
A spokesperson stated that Russia has made an offer 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 provide consular support and push for his release as soon as possible.
Controversial Reopening in Occupied City
A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its basement, is set to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.
However, previous staff from the theatre have called the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.
The theatre is due to reopen by the end of the month with a show of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the last 24 months.