🔗 Share this article Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Oil Refinery Using UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles. In a significant escalation, Kyiv's 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 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 location. This represents not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against objectives inside Russian territory. Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is directly involved in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Diplomatic Developments on the War Front Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on potential pathways to end the war. “It was a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns approaches, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.” Judicial Proceedings Within Russia In a parallel internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a 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 prison. The charges reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in defiance. Foreign Prisoner Case Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French officials concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying. A spokesperson said that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all state resources mobilised to offer assistance and push for his liberation as soon as possible. Controversial Reopening in Occupied City A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to open its doors again. Authorities in control have heralded the reconstruction as a sign of renewal. Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its rule in seized territories, a process that includes the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens. It is expected to open by the month's end with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the last 24 months.
In a significant escalation, Kyiv's 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 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 location. This represents not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against objectives inside Russian territory. Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is directly involved in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Diplomatic Developments on the War Front Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on potential pathways to end the war. “It was a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns approaches, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.” Judicial Proceedings Within Russia In a parallel internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a 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 prison. The charges reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in defiance. Foreign Prisoner Case Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French officials concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying. A spokesperson said that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all state resources mobilised to offer assistance and push for his liberation as soon as possible. Controversial Reopening in Occupied City A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to open its doors again. Authorities in control have heralded the reconstruction as a sign of renewal. Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its rule in seized territories, a process that includes the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens. It is expected to open by the month's end with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the last 24 months.