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

In a significant escalation, Kyiv's forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike occurred on Thursday, as stated by 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 Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant 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.

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, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation 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 messaging platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

In a parallel internal matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was given to six years in prison.

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

International Detainee Case

The Kremlin has stated it is engaged with French authorities regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of spying.

A spokesperson said that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all state resources working to offer assistance and advocate for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Authorities in control have heralded the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

However, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

It is expected to open by the month's end with a show of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the past two years.