Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Oil Refinery Using British Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil refinery. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to the country's military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the site. This marks not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is directly involved in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a very productive conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, of course, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

In a parallel internal matter, a court in Russia has convicted a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.

This case are said to be based on an article Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin has stated it is in contact with French officials concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing new charges 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 working to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction 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. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its administration in seized territories, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of critics and property seizures from local residents.

It is expected to open by the end of the month with a performance of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt largely anew over the past two years.