Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Oil Refinery Using UK-supplied Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.
In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil refinery. The attack was carried out Thursday, according to the country's military command.
Attack Particulars and Military Significance
The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the site. This marks another instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives inside Russian soil.
Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main providers of fuel products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.
Political Discussions on the War Front
Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on potential pathways to end the war.
“We had a really good conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”
Judicial Proceedings Within Russia
In a parallel domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted 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 a penal colony.
The charges reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in protest.
International Detainee Case
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 allegedly facing additional accusations of espionage.
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 stated he is monitoring the situation, with all government services mobilised to provide consular support and push for his release at the earliest opportunity.
Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol
A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while many civilians sought refuge in its basement, is scheduled to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.
However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to showcase its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and property seizures from local residents.
It is due to reopen by the month's end with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the past two years.