🔗 Share this article Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Oil Refinery With British Storm Shadow Missiles. As part of a notable military action, Ukrainian forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to the country's military command. Attack Particulars and Military Significance The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This marks not the first instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets inside Russian soil. Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to end the war. “It was a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, certainly, the schedule.” Legal Crackdown Inside the Country 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 prison. This case are said to be based on an article Udaltsov shared in support of another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest. Foreign Prisoner Situation Russian authorities indicated it is in contact with French officials regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of spying. 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 push for his release as soon as possible. Controversial Reopening in Mariupol A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery. Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” 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 critics and property seizures from local residents. It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt largely anew over the last 24 months.
As part of a notable military action, Ukrainian forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to the country's military command. Attack Particulars and Military Significance The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This marks not the first instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets inside Russian soil. Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation. Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to end the war. “It was a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, certainly, the schedule.” Legal Crackdown Inside the Country 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 prison. This case are said to be based on an article Udaltsov shared in support of another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest. Foreign Prisoner Situation Russian authorities indicated it is in contact with French officials regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of spying. 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 push for his release as soon as possible. Controversial Reopening in Mariupol A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery. Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” 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 critics and property seizures from local residents. It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt largely anew over the last 24 months.