Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Oil Refinery With UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.
In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military command.
Details of the Strike and Military Significance
The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the site. This represents another instance where Ukraine has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian soil.
Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary suppliers 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, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive discussions with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on possible ways to end the war.
“It was a really good conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it concerns approaches, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.”
Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country
In a parallel domestic matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a pro-war activist and critic 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 reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published backing another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest.
Foreign Prisoner Case
The Kremlin indicated it is engaged with French officials concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing new charges 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 stated he is closely following the situation, with all government services working to offer assistance and advocate for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.
Controversial Reopening in Occupied City
The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its basement, is set to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.
However, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Kremlin effort to showcase its rule in seized territories, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.
The theatre is expected to open by the month's end with a show of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the past two years.
