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

As part of a notable military action, Kyiv's forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

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 advanced British-supplied missiles against targets inside Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the main providers of fuel products in Russia's south and is directly involved in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a really good conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was given to six years in prison.

The charges are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as fabricated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Case

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

A spokesperson stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all government services mobilised to provide consular support and push for his liberation as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Moscow effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of critics and confiscation of assets from local residents.

The theatre is expected to open by the end of the month with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the past two years.