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

In a significant escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military command.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the location. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary providers of petrol products in Russia's south and is directly involved in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive talks with envoys of ex-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 very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to bring real peace closer, and it involves formats, potential summits, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a court in Russia has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in prison.

The charges are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov shared in support of another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

International Detainee Situation

The Kremlin has stated it is in contact with French authorities concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

An official said that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is monitoring the situation, with all government services working to provide consular support and push for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

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