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

As part of a notable military action, Kyiv's forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the country's military command.

Details of the Strike 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 deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives on Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the main providers of fuel products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on possible ways to end the war.

“We had a really good conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Inside the Country

In a parallel internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

This case are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov shared backing another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as fabricated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Case

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

An official said that Russia has made an offer 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 provide consular support and advocate for his release as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to reopen. Authorities in control have heralded the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

However, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present 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 Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the past two years.