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

As part of a notable military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the country's military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the location. This represents not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles against objectives on Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

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. 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 messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

In a parallel internal matter, a Russian court has found guilty a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.

The charges are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov shared in support of another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin indicated it is in contact with French officials regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.

An official 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 state resources working to offer assistance and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to showcase its rule 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 classic Russian story, having been rebuilt largely anew over the past two years.