Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Oil Refinery With UK-supplied Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

As part of a notable escalation, Kyiv's forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a really good conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a 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 reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Situation

Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French authorities concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

An official stated 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 mobilised to offer assistance and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Moscow effort to showcase its administration in seized territories, a process that includes the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from local residents.

The theatre is expected to open by the month's end with a performance of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction largely anew over the last 24 months.