In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil refinery. This strike occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military command.
The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This represents another instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets inside Russian territory.
Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the primary suppliers of fuel products in southern Russia and is directly involved in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.
In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive talks with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.
“It was a really good conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, 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, of course, the timeline.”
Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a court in Russia has convicted a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. 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 organisation. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as fabricated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in defiance.
Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French authorities concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.
An official stated that Russia has made an offer 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 state resources working to provide consular support and advocate for his release as soon as possible.
The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its basement, is set to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.
However, former actors from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and property seizures from local residents.
The theatre is due to reopen by the month's end with a performance of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt largely anew over the last 24 months.
Elara is a seasoned writer and digital storyteller with a passion for exploring diverse literary genres and empowering others through words.
