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

In a significant military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil processing facility. The attack was carried out Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against objectives on Russian territory.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to end the war.

“It was a really good conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, 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 concerns formats, potential summits, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

The charges reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

International Detainee Situation

Russian authorities indicated it is in contact with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

An official 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 closely following the situation, with all state resources working to offer assistance 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 sought refuge in its basement, is set to reopen. Authorities in control have heralded the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Moscow effort to showcase its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from local residents.

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