As part of a notable military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. This strike occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military command.
The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the site. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit objectives on Russian territory.
Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the main suppliers of fuel products in Russia's south and is directly involved in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.
Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive talks with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.
“It was a really good 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 involves approaches, meetings, and, certainly, the schedule.”
Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.
This case reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov published backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as fabricated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.
The Kremlin 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 said that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is monitoring the situation, with all government services working to offer assistance and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.
A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.
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 administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and confiscation of assets from local residents.
It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a show of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the past two years.
A seasoned software engineer with a passion for open-source projects and tech education.
