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

In a significant escalation, Ukrainian forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit 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 targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts observed at the site. This marks another instance where Ukraine has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against objectives on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is directly involved in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was 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 move toward a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

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, leader of the opposition movement, was given to six years in prison.

The charges are said to be based on an article Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

International Detainee Situation

The Kremlin has stated it is engaged with French authorities regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

A spokesperson said that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all government services mobilised to offer assistance and push for his liberation as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Moscow effort to present its administration in seized territories, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of critics and confiscation of assets from local residents.

The theatre is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the last 24 months.