Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Oil Refinery With UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.
As part of a notable escalation, Kyiv's forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil refinery. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military command.
Attack Particulars and Military Significance
The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the location. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian territory.
Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.
Political Discussions on the War Front
Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.
“It was a really good conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “There are some new ideas on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”
Legal Crackdown Inside the Country
Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.
The charges are said to be based on an article Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in protest.
International Detainee Case
Russian authorities indicated it is engaged with French officials regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of spying.
A spokesperson stated that Russia has made an offer 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 state resources mobilised to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.
Controversial Reopening in Mariupol
The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians were sheltering in its basement, is set to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.
However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from local residents.
The theatre is due to reopen by the end of the month with a show of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the last 24 months.