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

In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil processing facility. This strike occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This marks not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary suppliers of fuel products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a really good conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

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

This case reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov published backing another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as fabricated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin indicated it is in contact with French authorities concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

An official said 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 stated he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to offer assistance and advocate for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Moscow effort to present its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

It is expected to open by the end of the month with a show of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the past two years.