Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Oil Refinery Using British Storm Shadow Missiles.
As part of a notable escalation, Kyiv's forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil refinery. This strike occurred on Thursday, according to the country's military command.
Details of the Strike and Military Significance
The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This marks not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles against objectives on Russian soil.
Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the main providers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.
Political Discussions on the Conflict
In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on possible ways to end the war.
“It was a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “There are some new ideas on how to move toward real peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”
Legal Crackdown Within Russia
Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.
The charges are said to be based on an article Udaltsov published backing another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in defiance.
Foreign Prisoner Case
Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French officials concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.
A spokesperson stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding 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 working to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation 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. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.
Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to showcase its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of critics and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.
It is due to reopen by the month's end with a performance of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the last 24 months.