Kyiv Strikes Moscow's Oil Refinery Using British Storm Shadow Missiles.
In a significant escalation, Kyiv's forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. The attack was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.
Details of the Strike and Military Significance
The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the location. This represents another instance where Ukraine has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian soil.
Military spokespersons noted 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.
Political Discussions on the War Front
In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive discussions with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on potential pathways to end the war.
“We had a really good conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”
Legal Crackdown Inside the Country
In a parallel internal matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in prison.
The charges reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published in support of another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in protest.
International Detainee Situation
Russian authorities has stated it is in contact with French officials concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of spying.
An official stated 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 advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.
Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City
A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its basement, is scheduled to reopen. Authorities in control have heralded the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.
However, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and property seizures from local residents.
It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a show of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the past two years.