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 key Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, as stated by the country's military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This represents another instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles against objectives inside Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is directly involved in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a really good conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward real peace closer, and it involves formats, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

The charges reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published in support of another group of activists accused of 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.

International Detainee Situation

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

A spokesperson said that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it 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 at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while many civilians sought refuge in its basement, is scheduled to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its rule in seized territories, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is expected to open by the month's end with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the past two years.