Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Oil Refinery Using British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.
As part of a notable escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. This strike occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military authorities.
Attack Particulars and Military Significance
The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the site. This represents another instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives inside Russian soil.
Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the primary providers of fuel products in southern Russia and is directly involved in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.
Political Discussions on the War Front
Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive talks 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: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “There are some new ideas on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, meetings, and, certainly, the schedule.”
Judicial Proceedings Within Russia
Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a court in Russia 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 article Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in protest.
Foreign Prisoner Case
The Kremlin has stated it is in contact with French authorities concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of espionage.
A spokesperson said that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to offer assistance and advocate for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.
Controversial Reopening in Mariupol
The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.
Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its administration in seized territories, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.
It is expected to open by the end of the month with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the past two years.
